Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainFEMA puts Monroeville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroeville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #138 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (38%). 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 Monroeville 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
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 Monroeville’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monroeville, and Monroeville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #138 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monroeville’s residents live in 3 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, Monroeville has more expected damage per building than 74% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Monroeville: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monroeville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Monroeville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Monroeville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monroeville
Disasters that paid out in Monroeville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monroeville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding98 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$38K to the City of Monroeville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,802 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$199K to the City of Monroeville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding84 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
Monroe County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Monroeville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monroeville archive →Get ready for what Monroeville 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.
- 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 Monroeville
Is Monroeville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroeville has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #138 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Monroeville 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 Monroe County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monroeville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monroeville’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 Monroeville?
By FEMA money that reached Monroeville, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 1,802 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $199K to the City of Monroeville for repairs.
Is Monroeville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Monroeville’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monroeville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monroeville’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.