Gragg Field Historic District · Photo: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Services Agency · Public domainClanton’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clanton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #63 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1990.
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 Clanton 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 Clanton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clanton, and Clanton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #63 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clanton’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, Clanton has less expected damage per building than 67% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Clanton: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clanton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clanton, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clanton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chilton County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clanton
Disasters that paid out in Clanton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clanton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta$104K to the City of Clanton for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding92 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan125 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$55K to the City of Clanton for repairs
Chilton County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Clanton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clanton archive →Get ready for what Clanton 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 Clanton
Is Clanton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clanton has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #63 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clanton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Clanton since 1990, $22K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Clanton 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 Chilton County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clanton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clanton’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 Clanton?
By FEMA money that reached Clanton, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 125 households applied for aid, $90K approved, and $55K to the City of Clanton for repairs.
Is Clanton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Clanton’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clanton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clanton’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.