Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Moulton than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moulton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #76 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1983.
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 Moulton 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
Earthquakes
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 Moulton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moulton, and Moulton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #76 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moulton’s residents live in 2 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, Moulton has less expected damage per building than 60% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Moulton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moulton flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moulton, from FEMA’s records: 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $59K
Moulton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moulton
Disasters that paid out in Moulton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moulton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$141K to the City of Moulton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding713 households applied for aid$953K aid approved$135K to the City of Moulton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$12K to the City of Moulton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$8K to the City of Moulton for repairs
Lawrence County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Moulton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moulton archive →Get ready for what Moulton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Moulton
Is Moulton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moulton has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #76 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moulton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Moulton since 1983, $414K in all, or 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Moulton 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 Lawrence County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moulton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moulton’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 Moulton?
By FEMA money that reached Moulton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 713 households applied for aid, $953K approved, and $135K to the City of Moulton for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $59K.
Is Moulton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Moulton’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moulton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moulton’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.