Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Magnolia Springs
Magnolia Springs isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Magnolia Springs yet. Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 2005.
What Magnolia Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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.
Does Magnolia Springs flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Magnolia Springs, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms9 claims · $909K
- Hurricane Sally9 claims · $913K
Magnolia Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Baldwin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Magnolia Springs
Disasters that paid out in Magnolia Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Magnolia Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally116 households applied for aid$131K aid approved$1.1M to the Town of Magnolia Springs for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $913K
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$162K aid approved$41K to the Town of Magnolia Springs for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina77 households applied for aid$132K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan241 households applied for aid$211K aid approved
Baldwin County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Magnolia Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Magnolia Springs archive →Get ready for what Magnolia Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Magnolia Springs
Does Magnolia Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Magnolia Springs since 2005, $1.8M in all. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (9).
Is Magnolia Springs 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 Baldwin County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Magnolia Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Magnolia Springs’ 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 Magnolia Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Magnolia Springs, Hurricane Sally (2020): 116 households applied for aid, $131K approved, and $1.1M to the Town of Magnolia Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 9 paid, $909K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Magnolia Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Magnolia Springs’ 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.