Henry Stuart House · Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fairhope than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairhope gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #183 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 111 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 Fairhope’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fairhope faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Fairhope’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairhope, and Fairhope’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #183 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairhope’s residents live in 8 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, Fairhope has more expected damage per building than 98% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.2M a year in losses across Fairhope: $20.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairhope flood? Yes: 111 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairhope, from FEMA’s records: 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina30 claims · $3.8M
- Hurricane Georges18 claims · $301K
- Hurricane Ivan9 claims · $226K
Fairhope isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Baldwin County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairhope
Disasters that paid out in Fairhope itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairhope), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally3,553 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$10.9M to the City of Fairhope for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Nate$490K to the City of Fairhope for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding491 households applied for aid$632K aid approved$573K to the City of Fairhope for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$23K to the City of Fairhope for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$60K to the City of Fairhope for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$12K to the City of Fairhope for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,319 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$3.4M to the City of Fairhope for repairs30 flood claims paid for it, $3.8M
- 2005Hurricane Dennis148 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$182K to the City of Fairhope for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2,160 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$3.8M to the City of Fairhope for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $226K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding132 households applied for aid$344K aid approved
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$119K to the City of Fairhope for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Baldwin County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Fairhope after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairhope archive →Fairhope and its neighbors
Fairhope is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 75 |
| Fairhope | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 111 |
| Point Clear | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 118 |
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 Fairhope faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Fairhope
Is Fairhope at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairhope has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #183 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairhope flood?
Flood insurance has paid 111 claims in Fairhope since 1978, $5.1M in all, or 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (30).
Is Fairhope 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 Baldwin County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairhope?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairhope’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 Fairhope?
By FEMA money that reached Fairhope, Hurricane Sally (2020): 3,553 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved, and $10.9M to the City of Fairhope for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 30 paid, $3.8M.
Is Fairhope at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Fairhope’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairhope.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairhope’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.