Photo: The original uploader was Mld74 at English Wikipedia. · Public domainOneonta’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oneonta gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #67 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1982.
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 Oneonta 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 Oneonta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oneonta, and Oneonta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #67 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oneonta’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, Oneonta has less expected damage per building than 65% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Oneonta: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oneonta flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oneonta, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal1 claim · $22K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $500K
Oneonta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blount County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oneonta
Disasters that paid out in Oneonta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oneonta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Thunderstorms$21K to the City of Oneonta for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$23K to the City of Oneonta for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding81 households applied for aid$97K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms and Tornadoes$432K to the City of Oneonta for repairs
Blount County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Oneonta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oneonta archive →Get ready for what Oneonta 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 Oneonta
Is Oneonta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oneonta has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #67 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oneonta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Oneonta since 1982, $750K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (1).
Is Oneonta 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 Blount County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oneonta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oneonta’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 Oneonta?
By FEMA money that reached Oneonta, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2001): $432K to the City of Oneonta for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Oneonta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Oneonta’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oneonta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oneonta’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.