Photo: Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Opelika’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Opelika gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #1 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1990.
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 Opelika’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Opelika 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
Hurricanes
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 Opelika’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Opelika, and Opelika’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #1 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Opelika’s residents live in 15 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, Opelika has less expected damage per building than 100% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Opelika: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Opelika flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Opelika, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Opelika isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Opelika
Disasters that paid out in Opelika itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Opelika), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes299 households applied for aid$810K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$4K to the City of Opelika for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$83K to the City of Opelika for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$7K to the City of Opelika for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan206 households applied for aid$255K aid approved$246K to the City of Opelika for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$633 aid approved
Lee County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Opelika after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Opelika archive →Opelika and its neighbors
Opelika has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opelika | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Auburn | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Opelika 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.
- 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.
- 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 Opelika
Is Opelika at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Opelika has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #1 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Opelika flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Opelika since 1990, $600 in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Opelika 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 Lee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Opelika?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Opelika’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 Opelika?
By FEMA money that reached Opelika, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2019): 299 households applied for aid, $810K approved.
Is Opelika at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Opelika’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Opelika.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Opelika’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.