Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Headland faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Headland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #66 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Headland 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 Headland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Headland, and Headland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 28% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #66 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Headland’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, Headland has less expected damage per building than 65% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Headland: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Headland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Headland, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Headland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Headland
Disasters that paid out in Headland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Headland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael$113K to the City of Headland for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$3K to the City of Headland for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$47K to the City of Headland for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$18K to the City of Headland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$12K to the City of Headland for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan14 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Henry County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Headland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Headland archive →Headland and its neighbors
Headland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headland | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dothan | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 93 |
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 Headland 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 Headland
Is Headland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Headland has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #66 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Headland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Headland since 1998, $10K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Headland 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 Henry County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Headland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Headland’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 Headland?
By FEMA money that reached Headland, Hurricane Michael (2018): $113K to the City of Headland for repairs.
Is Headland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Headland’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Headland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Headland’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.