Photo: OEP · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Northport faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northport gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #112 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1979.
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 Northport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northport 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
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 Northport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northport, and Northport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #112 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northport’s residents live in 12 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, Northport has more expected damage per building than 60% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.9M a year in losses across Northport: $7.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northport flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northport, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Claudette10 claims · $755K
Northport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tuscaloosa County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northport
Disasters that paid out in Northport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding320 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$39K to the City of Northport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina124 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$222K to the City of Northport for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$20K to the City of Northport for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan37 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$52K to the City of Northport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$68K to the City of Northport for repairs
Tuscaloosa County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Northport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northport archive →Northport and its neighbors
Northport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 111 |
| Northport | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Coker | — | not graded yet | |
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 Northport 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.
- 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 Northport
Is Northport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northport has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #112 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Northport since 1979, $936K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Claudette (10).
Is Northport 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 Tuscaloosa County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northport’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 Northport?
By FEMA money that reached Northport, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 124 households applied for aid, $84K approved, and $222K to the City of Northport for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Claudette: 10 paid, $755K.
Is Northport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Northport’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northport’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.