W. S. Blackwell House · Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Greenville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #91 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (42%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Greenville 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
Tornadoes
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 Greenville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenville, and Greenville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 42% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C #91 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenville’s residents live in 6 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, Greenville has less expected damage per building than 52% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Greenville: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Greenville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Greenville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenville
Disasters that paid out in Greenville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greenville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms and Flooding$69K to the City of Greenville for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Greenville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$49K to the City of Greenville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$37K to the City of Greenville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,406 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$154K to the City of Greenville for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Tornadoes$9K to the City of Greenville for repairs
Butler County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Greenville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenville archive →Get ready for what Greenville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Greenville
Is Greenville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenville has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #91 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Greenville 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 Butler County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenville’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 Greenville?
By FEMA money that reached Greenville, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 1,406 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $154K to the City of Greenville for repairs.
Is Greenville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Greenville’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenville’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.