More hazard damage per building is expected in Creola than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Creola gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2005.
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 Creola faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Creola’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Creola, and Creola’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Creola’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Creola: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Creola flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Creola, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina2 claims · $3K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $188
Creola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mobile County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Creola
Disasters that paid out in Creola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Creola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta24 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Sally120 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina370 households applied for aid$299K aid approved$14K to the Town of Creola for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $3K
- 2005Hurricane Dennis40 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$8K to the Town of Creola for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan286 households applied for aid$412K aid approved$10K to the Town of Creola for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding46 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$37K to the Town of Creola for repairs
Mobile County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Creola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Creola archive →Creola and its neighbors
Creola has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. 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 Creola faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Creola
Is Creola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Creola has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Creola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Creola since 2005, $3K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (2).
Is Creola 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 Mobile County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Creola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Creola’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 Creola?
By FEMA money that reached Creola, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 286 households applied for aid, $412K approved, and $10K to the Town of Creola for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 2 paid, $3K.
Is Creola at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Creola’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Creola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Creola’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.