Foley Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Foley than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foley gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #180 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (78%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 195 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 Foley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Foley 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 Foley’s grade
Hurricanes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Foley, and Foley’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 19% (higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #180 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Foley’s residents live in 7 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, Foley has more expected damage per building than 96% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.8M a year in losses across Foley: $17.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Foley flood? Yes: 195 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Foley, from FEMA’s records: 15.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally144 claims · $12.2M
- The Mid-spring storms20 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Ivan11 claims · $672K
Foley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Baldwin County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Foley
Disasters that paid out in Foley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Foley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally6,000 households applied for aid$6.1M aid approved$12.6M to the City of Foley for repairs144 flood claims paid for it, $12.2M
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding773 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$298K to the City of Foley for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$10K to the City of Foley for repairs
- 2009Tropical Storm Ida$7K to the City of Foley for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$30K to the City of Foley for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina752 households applied for aid$845K aid approved$312K to the City of Foley for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $20K
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Dennis141 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$53K to the City of Foley for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3,813 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$4.3M to the City of Foley for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $672K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$5K to the City of Foley for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
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 Foley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Foley archive →Foley and its neighbors
Foley has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foley | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 195 |
| Summerdale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Gulf Shores | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 5,586 |
| Orange Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 1,665 |
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 Foley 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.
- Foley residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Foley
Is Foley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foley has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #180 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (78%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Foley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 195 claims in Foley since 1979, $14.5M in all, or 15.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 34 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (144).
Is Foley 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 Foley?
Foley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Foley?
By FEMA money that reached Foley, Hurricane Sally (2020): 6,000 households applied for aid, $6.1M approved, and $12.6M to the City of Foley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 144 paid, $12.2M.
Is Foley at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Foley’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Foley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Foley’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.