Photo: Smalltownalabama · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Guntersville faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guntersville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #133 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2015.
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 Guntersville 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
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 Guntersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Guntersville, and Guntersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #133 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Guntersville’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, Guntersville has more expected damage per building than 71% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Guntersville: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Guntersville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Guntersville, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $10K
Guntersville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Guntersville
Disasters that paid out in Guntersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Guntersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$75K to the City of Guntersville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,767 households applied for aid$742K aid approved$545K to the City of Guntersville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$132K to the City of Guntersville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan5 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$18K to the City of Guntersville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Marshall County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Guntersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Guntersville archive →Get ready for what Guntersville 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.
- 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 Guntersville
Is Guntersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guntersville has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #133 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Guntersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Guntersville since 2015, $15K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Guntersville 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 Marshall County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Guntersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Guntersville’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 Guntersville?
By FEMA money that reached Guntersville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 1,767 households applied for aid, $742K approved, and $545K to the City of Guntersville for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Guntersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Guntersville’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Guntersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Guntersville’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.