Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Daleville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Daleville gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #44 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1994.
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 Daleville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Daleville 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
Hurricanes
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 Daleville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Daleville, and Daleville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 31% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #44 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Daleville’s residents live in 3 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, Daleville has less expected damage per building than 77% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Daleville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Daleville flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Daleville, from FEMA’s records: 20.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto37 claims · $1.2M
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $45K
Daleville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dale County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Daleville
Disasters that paid out in Daleville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Daleville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Daleville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$75K to the City of Daleville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$10K to the City of Daleville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan57 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$38K to the City of Daleville for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Tornadoes$22K to the City of Daleville for repairs
Dale County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Daleville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Daleville archive →Daleville and its neighbors
Daleville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daleville | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Fort Novosel | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Clayhatchee | — | 414 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 Daleville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Daleville
Is Daleville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Daleville has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #44 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Daleville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Daleville since 1994, $1.9M in all, or 20.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (37).
Is Daleville 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 Dale County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Daleville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Daleville’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 Daleville?
By FEMA money that reached Daleville, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 57 households applied for aid, $42K approved, and $38K to the City of Daleville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 37 paid, $1.2M.
Is Daleville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Daleville’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Daleville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Daleville’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.