Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Courtland
Courtland isn’t graded for hazard risk: Courtland has 723 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1983.
What Courtland 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
Earthquakes
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.
Does Courtland flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Courtland, from FEMA’s records.
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $17K
Courtland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Courtland
Disasters that paid out in Courtland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Courtland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding139 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$99K to the Town of Courtland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$19K to the Town of Courtland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$2K to the Town of Courtland for repairs
Lawrence County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Courtland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Courtland archive →Courtland and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Courtland | — | 427 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Courtland 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Courtland
Does Courtland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Courtland since 1983, $149K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Courtland 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 Lawrence County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Courtland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Courtland’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 Courtland?
By FEMA money that reached Courtland, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 139 households applied for aid, $48K approved, and $99K to the Town of Courtland for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $17K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Courtland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Courtland’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.