For tornadoes, Margaret’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Margaret gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #55 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Margaret 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
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 Margaret’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Margaret, and Margaret’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #55 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Margaret’s residents live in 4 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, Margaret has less expected damage per building than 71% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Margaret: $887K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Margaret flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Margaret. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Margaret isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Margaret
Disasters that paid out in Margaret itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Margaret), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$926 aid approved$5K to the City of Margaret for repairs
St. Clair County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Margaret after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Margaret archive →Margaret and its neighbors
Margaret has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Trussville | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Odenville | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Argo | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Margaret 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.
- 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 Margaret
Is Margaret at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Margaret has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #55 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Margaret 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 St. Clair County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Margaret?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Margaret’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 Margaret?
By FEMA money that reached Margaret, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 6 households applied for aid, $12K approved.
Is Margaret at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Margaret’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Margaret.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Margaret’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.