Photo: Adrien Lamarre, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Demopolis than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Demopolis gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #148 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Demopolis 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
Hurricanes
Strong wind
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 Demopolis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Demopolis, and Demopolis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #148 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Demopolis’ 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, Demopolis has more expected damage per building than 79% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Demopolis: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Demopolis flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Demopolis, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Demopolis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marengo County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Demopolis
Disasters that paid out in Demopolis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Demopolis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta83 households applied for aid$87K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding76 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina142 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$64K to the City of Demopolis for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$30K to the City of Demopolis for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan512 households applied for aid$617K aid approved$217K to the City of Demopolis for repairs
Marengo County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Demopolis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Demopolis archive →Get ready for what Demopolis 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Demopolis
Is Demopolis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Demopolis has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #148 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Demopolis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Demopolis since 1980, $62K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Demopolis 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 Marengo County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Demopolis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Demopolis’ 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 Demopolis?
By FEMA money that reached Demopolis, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 512 households applied for aid, $617K approved, and $217K to the City of Demopolis for repairs.
Is Demopolis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Demopolis’ rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Demopolis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Demopolis’ 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.