Photo: American Diabetio · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Huntsville than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntsville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #132 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 406 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Huntsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Huntsville 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
Earthquakes
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 Huntsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Huntsville, and Huntsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #132 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Huntsville’s residents live in 77 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, Huntsville has more expected damage per building than 70% of Alabama towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Huntsville has higher expected damage per building than 67% (#269 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $107M, is the 104th largest of those 400.
Does Huntsville flood? Yes: 406 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Huntsville, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $9K
- Tropical Storm Nicholas2 claims · $34K
Huntsville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Madison County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Huntsville
Disasters that paid out in Huntsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Huntsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$79K to the City of Huntsville for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$5K to the City of Huntsville for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10,154 households applied for aid$656K aid approved$2.5M to the City of Huntsville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan38 households applied for aid$23K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding301 households applied for aid$498K aid approved$465K to the City of Huntsville for repairs52 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$153K to the City of Huntsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Huntsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Huntsville archive →Huntsville and its neighbors
Huntsville is 5th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triana | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Athens | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Moores Mill | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Decatur | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Huntsville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 406 |
| Owens Cross Roads | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Redstone Arsenal | — | 858 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Huntsville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Huntsville residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Huntsville
Is Huntsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntsville has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #132 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Huntsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 406 claims in Huntsville since 1979, $7.8M in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (3).
Is Huntsville 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 Madison County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Huntsville?
Huntsville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Huntsville?
By FEMA money that reached Huntsville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 10,154 households applied for aid, $656K approved, and $2.5M to the City of Huntsville for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 3 paid, $9K.
Is Huntsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Huntsville’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Huntsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Huntsville’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.