Photo: Prussian_Fool · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Dothan than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dothan gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #89 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 93 claims here since 1978.
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 Dothan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dothan 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 Dothan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dothan, and Dothan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 32% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #89 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dothan’s residents live in 26 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, Dothan has less expected damage per building than 53% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $36.6M a year in losses across Dothan: $27.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dothan flood? Sometimes: 93 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dothan, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto10 claims · $51K
- Hurricane Sally1 claim · $6K
Dothan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dothan
Disasters that paid out in Dothan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dothan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene$15K to the City of Dothan for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Michael$3.8M to the City of Dothan for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$49K to the City of Dothan for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line305 households applied for aid$650K aid approved$582K to the City of Dothan for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$335K to the City of Dothan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan114 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$528K to the City of Dothan for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Tornadoes$7K to the City of Dothan for repairs
Houston County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Dothan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dothan archive →Dothan and its neighbors
Dothan is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland City | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Headland | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dothan | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 93 |
| Taylor | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Cowarts | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kinsey | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Rehobeth | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Webb | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Napier Field | — | 422 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grimes | — | 582 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 Dothan 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 Dothan
Is Dothan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dothan has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #89 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dothan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 93 claims in Dothan since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (10).
Is Dothan 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 Houston County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dothan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dothan’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 Dothan?
By FEMA money that reached Dothan, Hurricane Michael (2018): $3.8M to the City of Dothan for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 10 paid, $51K.
Is Dothan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Dothan’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dothan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dothan’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.