Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Center Point than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Point gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #6 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2009.
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 Center Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Center Point 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
Earthquakes
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 Center Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center Point, and Center Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #6 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Center Point’s residents live in 11 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, Center Point has less expected damage per building than 97% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Center Point: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center Point flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Center Point, 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 · $16K
Center Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Center Point
Disasters that paid out in Center Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Center Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes11 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding517 households applied for aid$297K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding260 households applied for aid$45K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$2K to the City of Center Point for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
Jefferson County has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Center Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center Point archive →Center Point and its neighbors
Center Point has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Point | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Grayson Valley | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clay | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pinson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Birmingham | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
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 Center Point 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Center Point
Is Center Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center Point has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #6 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Center Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Center Point since 2009, $57K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Center Point 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 Jefferson County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Center Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Center Point’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 Center Point?
By FEMA money that reached Center Point, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2012): 517 households applied for aid, $297K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Center Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Center Point’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center Point’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.