Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Eufaula than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eufaula gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #12 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Eufaula’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Eufaula 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
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 Eufaula’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eufaula, and Eufaula’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #12 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eufaula’s residents live in 6 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, Eufaula has less expected damage per building than 94% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Eufaula: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eufaula flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eufaula, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally1 claim · $4K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $110K
Eufaula isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barbour County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eufaula
Disasters that paid out in Eufaula itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eufaula), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally1 households applied for aid$5K to the City of Eufaula for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2020Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$8K to the City of Eufaula for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$8K to the City of Eufaula for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Eufaula for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$17K to the City of Eufaula for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan316 households applied for aid$274K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Barbour County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Eufaula after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eufaula archive →Eufaula and its neighbors
Eufaula has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eufaula | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Georgetown | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Eufaula 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.
- 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 Eufaula
Is Eufaula at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eufaula has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #12 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eufaula flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Eufaula since 1994, $150K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (1).
Is Eufaula 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 Barbour County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eufaula?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eufaula’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 Eufaula?
By FEMA money that reached Eufaula, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 316 households applied for aid, $274K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Eufaula at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Eufaula’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eufaula.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eufaula’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.