Photo: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Eutaw’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eutaw gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #149 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1983.
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 Eutaw 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
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 Eutaw’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eutaw, and Eutaw’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #149 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eutaw’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, Eutaw has more expected damage per building than 80% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Eutaw: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eutaw flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eutaw, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Eutaw isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eutaw
Disasters that paid out in Eutaw itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eutaw), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes172 households applied for aid$256K aid approved$393K to the City of Eutaw for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$107K to the City of Eutaw for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding291 households applied for aid$392K aid approved$12K to the City of Eutaw for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina682 households applied for aid$441K aid approved$87K to the City of Eutaw for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan634 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$27K to the City of Eutaw for repairs
Greene County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Eutaw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eutaw archive →Get ready for what Eutaw 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.
- 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 Eutaw
Is Eutaw at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eutaw has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #149 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eutaw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Eutaw since 1983, $60K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Eutaw 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 Greene County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eutaw?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eutaw’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 Eutaw?
By FEMA money that reached Eutaw, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 634 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $27K to the City of Eutaw for repairs.
Is Eutaw at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Eutaw’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eutaw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eutaw’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.