Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0Anniston’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anniston gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #38 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Anniston 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 Anniston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Anniston, and Anniston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #38 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Anniston’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, Anniston has less expected damage per building than 80% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.3M a year in losses across Anniston: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Anniston flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Anniston, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal3 claims · $26K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $17K
Anniston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calhoun County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Anniston
Disasters that paid out in Anniston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Anniston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes26 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding265 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$34K to the City of Anniston for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan50 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$193K to the City of Anniston for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding86 households applied for aid$139K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Calhoun County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Anniston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Anniston archive →Anniston and its neighbors
Anniston is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West End-Cobb Town | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Anniston | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Weaver | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Saks | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Oxford | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Hobson City | — | not graded yet | |
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 Anniston 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 Anniston
Is Anniston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anniston has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #38 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Anniston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Anniston since 1979, $120K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (3).
Is Anniston 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 Calhoun County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Anniston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Anniston’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 Anniston?
By FEMA money that reached Anniston, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 50 households applied for aid, $67K approved, and $193K to the City of Anniston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 3 paid, $26K.
Is Anniston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Anniston’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Anniston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Anniston’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.