Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Childersburg than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Childersburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #151 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Childersburg 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 Childersburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Childersburg, and Childersburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #151 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Childersburg’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, Childersburg has more expected damage per building than 81% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Childersburg: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Childersburg flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Childersburg, 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.
Childersburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Talladega County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Childersburg
Disasters that paid out in Childersburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Childersburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$4K to the City of Childersburg for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$15K to the City of Childersburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Talladega County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Childersburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Childersburg archive →Childersburg and its neighbors
Childersburg is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Childersburg 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 Childersburg
Is Childersburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Childersburg has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #151 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Childersburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Childersburg since 1979, $43K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Childersburg 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 Talladega County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Childersburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Childersburg’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 Childersburg?
By FEMA money that reached Childersburg, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 4 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $15K to the City of Childersburg for repairs.
Is Childersburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Childersburg’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Childersburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Childersburg’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.