Photo: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0Argo’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Argo gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #73 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (20%). 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 Argo 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 Argo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Argo, and Argo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #73 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Argo’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, Argo has less expected damage per building than 61% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Argo: $849K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Argo flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Argo, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $7K
Argo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Argo
Disasters that paid out in Argo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Argo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$15K to the City of Argo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the City of Argo for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$13K to the City of Argo for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Tornadoes$46K to the City of Argo for repairs
St. Clair County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Argo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Argo archive →Argo and its neighbors
Argo is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Trussville | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Argo | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Springville | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Argo 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 Argo
Is Argo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Argo has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #73 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Argo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Argo since 2015, $7K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Argo 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 St. Clair County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Argo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Argo’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 Argo?
By FEMA money that reached Argo, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2001): $46K to the City of Argo for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Argo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Argo’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Argo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Argo’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.