Photo: Republic of Selmaria · CC BY-SA 4.0Madison’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #64 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1983.
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 Madison 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 Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #64 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison’s residents live in 15 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, Madison has less expected damage per building than 66% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.0M a year in losses across Madison: $16.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms4 claims · $54K
Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2,607 households applied for aid$308K aid approved$340K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan17 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$41K to the City of Madison for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$26K to the City of Madison for repairs
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 Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Get ready for what Madison 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Madison
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #64 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Madison since 1983, $197K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (4).
Is Madison 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 Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison’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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 2,607 households applied for aid, $308K approved, and $340K to the City of Madison for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 4 paid, $54K.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Madison’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’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.