Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Flomaton than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flomaton gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (65%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1998.
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 Flomaton 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 Flomaton’s grade
Hurricanes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flomaton, and Flomaton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Flomaton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Flomaton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flomaton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flomaton, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Georges1 claim · $15K
Flomaton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Escambia County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Flomaton
Disasters that paid out in Flomaton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Flomaton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally169 households applied for aid$249K aid approved$152K to the Town of Flomaton for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$22K to the Town of Flomaton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$100K to the Town of Flomaton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis239 households applied for aid$165K aid approved$81K to the Town of Flomaton for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan980 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$103K to the Town of Flomaton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Escambia County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Flomaton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flomaton archive →Get ready for what Flomaton 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 Flomaton
Is Flomaton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flomaton has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (65%) and river and rain flooding (29%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Flomaton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Flomaton since 1998, $29K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Georges (1).
Is Flomaton 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 Escambia County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Flomaton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Flomaton’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 Flomaton?
By FEMA money that reached Flomaton, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 980 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $103K to the Town of Flomaton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Georges: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Flomaton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Flomaton’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flomaton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flomaton’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.