On FEMA’s figures, Level Plains 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, Level Plains gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1994.
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 Level Plains 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 Level Plains’ grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Level Plains, and Level Plains’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 35% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Level Plains’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $641K a year in losses across Level Plains: $429K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Level Plains flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Level Plains, 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.
- Tropical Storm Alberto10 claims · $292K
Level Plains isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dale County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Level Plains
Disasters that paid out in Level Plains itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Level Plains), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2 households applied for aid$291 aid approved
Dale County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Level Plains after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Level Plains archive →Get ready for what Level Plains 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 Level Plains
Is Level Plains at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Level Plains has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (35%). 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 Level Plains flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Level Plains since 1994, $336K in all, or 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (10).
Is Level Plains 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 Dale County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Level Plains?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Level Plains’ 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 Level Plains?
By FEMA money that reached Level Plains, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $291 approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 10 paid, $292K.
Is Level Plains at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Level Plains’ rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Level Plains.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Level Plains’ 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.