For tornadoes, Highland Lakes’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Lakes gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #50 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1995.
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 Highland Lakes 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 Highland Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland Lakes, and Highland Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #50 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Highland Lakes’ 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, Highland Lakes has less expected damage per building than 74% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Highland Lakes: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland Lakes flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highland Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan2 claims · $39K
- Tropical Storm Isidore1 claim · $693
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $42K
Highland Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.The storms Highland Lakes remembers
None of the 22 disasters declared for Shelby County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Highland Lakes itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20042 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Ivan, declared for Shelby County
- 19951 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19981 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Shelby County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shelby County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Highland Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland Lakes archive →Highland Lakes and its neighbors
Highland Lakes has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Lakes | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hoover | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 130 |
| Chelsea | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shoal Creek | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Highland Lakes 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 Highland Lakes
Is Highland Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #50 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (26%). 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 Highland Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Highland Lakes since 1995, $106K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (2).
Is Highland Lakes 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 Shelby County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Highland Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland Lakes’ 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 Highland Lakes?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 2 paid, $39K.
Is Highland Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Highland Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland Lakes’ 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.