Photo: Dave warren80 · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Cullman’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cullman gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #13 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 stands out about Cullman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cullman 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 Cullman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cullman, and Cullman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #13 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cullman’s residents live in 11 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, Cullman has less expected damage per building than 94% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Cullman: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cullman flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cullman, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cullman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cullman County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cullman
Disasters that paid out in Cullman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cullman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Tornadoes515 households applied for aid$172K aid approved$387K to the City of Cullman for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$2.9M to the City of Cullman for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2,578 households applied for aid$848K aid approved$1.4M to the City of Cullman for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$2K to the City of Cullman for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan13 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$2K to the City of Cullman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes51 households applied for aid$146K aid approved$35K to the City of Cullman for repairs
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$4K to the City of Cullman for repairs
Cullman County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Cullman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cullman archive →Cullman and its neighbors
Cullman has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cullman | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Good Hope | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Point | — | 293 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 Cullman 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 Cullman
Is Cullman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cullman has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #13 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cullman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Cullman since 1990, $79K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cullman 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 Cullman County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cullman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cullman’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 Cullman?
By FEMA money that reached Cullman, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $2.9M to the City of Cullman for repairs.
Is Cullman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Cullman’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cullman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cullman’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.