Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Andalusia’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andalusia gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #167 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Andalusia faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Andalusia’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Andalusia, and Andalusia’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
D #167 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Andalusia’s residents live in 5 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, Andalusia has more expected damage per building than 89% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Andalusia: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Andalusia flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Andalusia, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $33K
Andalusia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Covington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Andalusia
Disasters that paid out in Andalusia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Andalusia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Andalusia for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line58 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$96K to the City of Andalusia for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan966 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$442K to the City of Andalusia for repairs
Covington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Andalusia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Andalusia archive →Get ready for what Andalusia faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Andalusia
Is Andalusia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andalusia has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #167 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Andalusia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Andalusia since 2015, $33K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Andalusia 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 Covington County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Andalusia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Andalusia’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 Andalusia?
By FEMA money that reached Andalusia, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 966 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $442K to the City of Andalusia for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $33K.
Is Andalusia at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Andalusia’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Andalusia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Andalusia’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.