FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Haleyville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haleyville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #21 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (19%). 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 Haleyville 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
Earthquakes
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 Haleyville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haleyville, and Haleyville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #21 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Haleyville’s residents live in 3 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, Haleyville has less expected damage per building than 89% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Haleyville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haleyville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Haleyville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Haleyville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winston County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Haleyville
Disasters that paid out in Haleyville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Haleyville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding212 households applied for aid$346K aid approved$151K to the City of Haleyville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$27K to the City of Haleyville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan34 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$10K to the City of Haleyville for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Tornadoes$198K to the City of Haleyville for repairs
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$39K to the City of Haleyville for repairs
Winston County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Haleyville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haleyville archive →Get ready for what Haleyville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Haleyville
Is Haleyville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haleyville has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #21 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Haleyville 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 Winston County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Haleyville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haleyville’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 Haleyville?
By FEMA money that reached Haleyville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 212 households applied for aid, $346K approved, and $151K to the City of Haleyville for repairs.
Is Haleyville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Haleyville’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haleyville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haleyville’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.