FEMA puts Hartford’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #131 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1998.
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 Hartford 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 Hartford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartford, and Hartford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 27% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #131 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hartford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Alabama town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hartford has more expected damage per building than 70% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Hartford: $812K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartford flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hartford, from FEMA’s records: 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally4 claims · $116K
Hartford 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hartford
Disasters that paid out in Hartford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hartford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael$129K to the City of Hartford for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line88 households applied for aid$355K aid approved$36K to the City of Hartford for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan123 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$36K to the City of Hartford 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 Hartford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartford archive →Get ready for what Hartford 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 Hartford
Is Hartford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #131 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (27%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hartford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Hartford since 1998, $359K in all, or 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (4).
Is Hartford 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 Hartford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartford’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 Hartford?
By FEMA money that reached Hartford, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line (2009): 88 households applied for aid, $355K approved, and $36K to the City of Hartford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 4 paid, $116K.
Is Hartford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Hartford’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hartford’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.