Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Montevallo faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montevallo gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #100 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2009.
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 Montevallo 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 Montevallo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montevallo, and Montevallo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #100 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Montevallo’s residents live in 6 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, Montevallo has more expected damage per building than 53% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Montevallo: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montevallo flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montevallo, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Montevallo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montevallo
Disasters that paid out in Montevallo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Montevallo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan91 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$14K to the City of Montevallo for repairs
Shelby County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shelby County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Montevallo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montevallo archive →Montevallo and its neighbors
Montevallo has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montevallo | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wilton | — | 804 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Montevallo 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 Montevallo
Is Montevallo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montevallo has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #100 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montevallo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Montevallo since 2009, $188K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Montevallo 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 Shelby County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montevallo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montevallo’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 Montevallo?
By FEMA money that reached Montevallo, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 91 households applied for aid, $133K approved, and $14K to the City of Montevallo for repairs.
Is Montevallo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Montevallo’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montevallo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montevallo’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.