Photo: Slpettis · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Atmore than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atmore gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #176 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (73%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 72 claims here since 1980.
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 Atmore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Atmore 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 Atmore’s grade
Hurricanes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atmore, and Atmore’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #176 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Atmore’s residents live in 4 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, Atmore has more expected damage per building than 94% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Atmore: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atmore flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atmore, from FEMA’s records: 21.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan9 claims · $197K
- Hurricane Opal5 claims · $40K
- Hurricane Georges4 claims · $82K
Atmore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Escambia County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Atmore
Disasters that paid out in Atmore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Atmore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally1,720 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$957K to the City of Atmore for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $39K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding146 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Atmore for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis1,601 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Atmore for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan4,594 households applied for aid$9.0M aid approved$984K to the City of Atmore for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $197K
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$477 aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $197K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding953 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Escambia County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Atmore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atmore archive →Get ready for what Atmore 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 Atmore
Is Atmore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atmore has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #176 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (73%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Atmore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in Atmore since 1980, $1.3M in all, or 21.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (9).
Is Atmore 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 Escambia County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Atmore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atmore’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 Atmore?
By FEMA money that reached Atmore, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 4,594 households applied for aid, $9.0M approved, and $984K to the City of Atmore for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 9 paid, $197K.
Is Atmore at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Atmore’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atmore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atmore’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.