Photo: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Livingston faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #156 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1990.
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 Livingston 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
Hurricanes
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 Livingston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Livingston, and Livingston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #156 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Livingston’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, Livingston has more expected damage per building than 83% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Livingston: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Livingston flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Livingston, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Livingston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sumter County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Livingston
Disasters that paid out in Livingston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Livingston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding59 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina501 households applied for aid$475K aid approved$53K to the City of Livingston for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$4K to the City of Livingston for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan422 households applied for aid$613K aid approved$24K to the City of Livingston for repairs
Sumter County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Livingston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Livingston archive →Get ready for what Livingston 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Livingston
Is Livingston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #156 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Livingston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Livingston since 1990, $76K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Livingston 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 Sumter County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Livingston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Livingston’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 Livingston?
By FEMA money that reached Livingston, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 422 households applied for aid, $613K approved, and $24K to the City of Livingston for repairs.
Is Livingston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Livingston’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Livingston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Livingston’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.