North Central Historic District · Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Alexander City than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexander City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #82 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1983.
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 Alexander City 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 Alexander City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alexander City, and Alexander City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #82 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alexander City’s residents live in 6 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, Alexander City has less expected damage per building than 56% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Alexander City: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alexander City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alexander City, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alexander City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tallapoosa County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alexander City
Disasters that paid out in Alexander City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alexander City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes76 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$163K to the City of Alexander City for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$946K to the City of Alexander City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding79 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$12K to the City of Alexander City for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$17K to the City of Alexander City for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan86 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$126K to the City of Alexander City for repairs
Tallapoosa County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Alexander City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alexander City archive →Alexander City and its neighbors
Alexander City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Our Town | — | 372 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jacksons' Gap | — | 786 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 Alexander City 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 Alexander City
Is Alexander City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexander City has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #82 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alexander City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Alexander City since 1983, $39K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alexander City 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 Tallapoosa County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alexander City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alexander City’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 Alexander City?
By FEMA money that reached Alexander City, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2020): $946K to the City of Alexander City for repairs.
Is Alexander City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Alexander City’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alexander City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alexander City’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.