Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Decatur than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #104 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1980.
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 Decatur’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Decatur 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 Decatur’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Decatur, and Decatur’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #104 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Decatur’s residents live in 20 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, Decatur has more expected damage per building than 55% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.1M a year in losses across Decatur: $17.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Decatur flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Decatur, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms7 claims · $247K
- Tropical Storm Nicholas5 claims · $75K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $13K
Decatur isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morgan County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Decatur
Disasters that paid out in Decatur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Decatur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes79 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,448 households applied for aid$36K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan26 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$35K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
Morgan County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Decatur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Decatur archive →Decatur and its neighbors
Decatur is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Priceville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Decatur | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Huntsville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 406 |
| Hartselle | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Decatur 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 Decatur
Is Decatur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #104 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Decatur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Decatur since 1980, $1.4M in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (7).
Is Decatur 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 Morgan County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Decatur?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Decatur’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 Decatur?
By FEMA money that reached Decatur, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 79 households applied for aid, $65K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 7 paid, $247K.
Is Decatur at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Decatur’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Decatur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Decatur’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.