Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Elba than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elba gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #154 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 426 claims here since 1979.
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 Elba’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elba 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 Elba’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elba, and Elba’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #154 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elba’s residents live in 2 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, Elba has more expected damage per building than 82% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Elba: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elba flood? Yes: 426 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elba, from FEMA’s records: 267.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto51 claims · $391K
- The Early winter storms46 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Opal2 claims · $985
Elba isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coffee County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elba
Disasters that paid out in Elba itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elba), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$240K to the City of Elba for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $34K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$933K to the City of Elba for repairs47 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$51K to the City of Elba for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$38K to the City of Elba for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$7K to the City of Elba for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan187 households applied for aid$218K aid approved$57K to the City of Elba for repairs
Coffee County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Elba after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elba archive →Get ready for what Elba 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 Elba
Is Elba at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elba has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #154 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elba flood?
Flood insurance has paid 426 claims in Elba since 1979, $16.2M in all, or 267.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 41 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (51).
Is Elba 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 Coffee County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elba?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elba’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 Elba?
By FEMA money that reached Elba, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $933K to the City of Elba for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 51 paid, $391K.
Is Elba at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Elba’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elba.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elba’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.