Photo: Jet Lowe · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Cordova than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cordova gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). 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 Cordova 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 Cordova’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cordova, and Cordova’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cordova’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $943K a year in losses across Cordova: $697K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cordova flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cordova. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cordova isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walker County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cordova
Disasters that paid out in Cordova itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cordova), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding658 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$1.2M to the Town of Cordova for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$102K aid approved$53K to the Town of Cordova for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan29 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$150 aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Town of Cordova for repairs
Walker County has had 21 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 Walker County, 1998–1998.
Old photos of Cordova after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cordova archive →Get ready for what Cordova 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 Cordova
Is Cordova at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cordova has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cordova 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 Walker County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cordova?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cordova’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 Cordova?
By FEMA money that reached Cordova, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 658 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $1.2M to the Town of Cordova for repairs.
Is Cordova at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Cordova’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cordova.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cordova’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.