Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Montgomery as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montgomery gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #58 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 228 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Montgomery’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Montgomery 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
Hurricanes
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 Montgomery’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montgomery, and Montgomery’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #58 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Montgomery’s residents live in 66 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, Montgomery has less expected damage per building than 69% of Alabama towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Montgomery has lower expected damage per building than 51% (#195 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $75.2M, is the 159th largest of those 400.
Does Montgomery flood? Yes: 228 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montgomery, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal16 claims · $184K
- The Early winter storms12 claims · $154K
- Tropical Storm Alberto4 claims · $28K
Montgomery isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montgomery
Disasters that paid out in Montgomery itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Montgomery), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$19K to the City of Montgomery for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds1,573 households applied for aid$4.7M aid approved$705K to the City of Montgomery for repairs64 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes28 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$265K to the City of Montgomery for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $40K
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Ivan9,415 households applied for aid$7.7M aid approved$3.1M to the City of Montgomery for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
Montgomery County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Montgomery after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montgomery archive →Montgomery and its neighbors
Montgomery is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pike Road | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Montgomery | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 228 |
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 Montgomery 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.
- 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.
- 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 Montgomery
Is Montgomery at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montgomery has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #58 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montgomery flood?
Flood insurance has paid 228 claims in Montgomery since 1978, $5.3M in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (16).
Is Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montgomery?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montgomery’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 Montgomery?
By FEMA money that reached Montgomery, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 9,415 households applied for aid, $7.7M approved, and $3.1M to the City of Montgomery for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 16 paid, $184K.
Is Montgomery at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Montgomery’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montgomery.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montgomery’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.