Photo: AlabasterPIO · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Alabaster than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alabaster gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #101 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 59 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Alabaster’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alabaster faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Alabaster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alabaster, and Alabaster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #101 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alabaster’s residents live in 15 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Alabama town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alabaster has more expected damage per building than 54% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across Alabaster: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alabaster flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alabaster, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $50K
Alabaster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alabaster
Disasters that paid out in Alabaster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alabaster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$27K to the City of Alabaster for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan85 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$84K to the City of Alabaster for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $50K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Shelby County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shelby County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Alabaster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alabaster archive →Alabaster and its neighbors
Alabaster is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calera | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Alabaster | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Pelham | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 545 |
| Helena | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Brantleyville | — | 845 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Alabaster faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Alabaster
Is Alabaster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alabaster has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #101 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alabaster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Alabaster since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (1).
Is Alabaster in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Shelby County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alabaster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alabaster’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Alabaster?
By FEMA money that reached Alabaster, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 85 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $84K to the City of Alabaster for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 1 paid, $50K.
Is Alabaster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Alabaster’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alabaster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alabaster’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.