Photo: Wmr36104 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Geneva as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #59 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 97 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 Geneva’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Geneva 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
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 Geneva’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Geneva, and Geneva’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 34% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #59 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Geneva’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, Geneva has less expected damage per building than 69% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Geneva: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Geneva flood? Sometimes: 97 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Geneva, from FEMA’s records: 51.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto22 claims · $439K
- Hurricane Georges5 claims · $29K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $1K
Geneva isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Geneva County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Geneva
Disasters that paid out in Geneva itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Geneva), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$99K to the City of Geneva for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Michael$52K to the City of Geneva for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$94K to the City of Geneva for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$158K to the City of Geneva for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$260K to the City of Geneva for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$64K to the City of Geneva for repairs
Show all 10
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line89 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$217K to the City of Geneva for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$108K to the City of Geneva for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan141 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$50K to the City of Geneva for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Tornadoes$23K to the City of Geneva for repairs
Geneva County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Geneva after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Geneva archive →Geneva and its neighbors
Geneva has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Eunola | — | 155 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Geneva 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.
- 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 Geneva
Is Geneva at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #59 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Geneva flood?
Flood insurance has paid 97 claims in Geneva since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 51.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (22).
Is Geneva 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 Geneva County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Geneva?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Geneva’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 Geneva?
By FEMA money that reached Geneva, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line (2009): 89 households applied for aid, $118K approved, and $217K to the City of Geneva for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 22 paid, $439K.
Is Geneva at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Geneva’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Geneva.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Geneva’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.