Photo: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0Coaling’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coaling gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Coaling 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 Coaling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coaling, and Coaling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coaling’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $650K a year in losses across Coaling: $427K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coaling flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Coaling. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Coaling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tuscaloosa County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coaling
Disasters that paid out in Coaling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coaling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding142 households applied for aid$103K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina11 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Tuscaloosa County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Coaling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coaling archive →Get ready for what Coaling 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 Coaling
Is Coaling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coaling has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Coaling 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 Tuscaloosa County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Coaling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Coaling’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 Coaling?
By FEMA money that reached Coaling, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 142 households applied for aid, $103K approved.
Is Coaling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Coaling’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coaling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coaling’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.