Photo: Crimson Pictures · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Orange Beach faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orange Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1,665 claims here since 1995.
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 Orange Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Orange Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Orange Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orange Beach, and Orange Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #187 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orange Beach’s residents live in 7 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, Orange Beach has more expected damage per building than 100% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.4M a year in losses across Orange Beach: $15.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orange Beach flood? Yes: 1,665 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orange Beach, from FEMA’s records: 111.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan711 claims · $115M
- Hurricane Sally521 claims · $29.0M
- The Mid-spring storms127 claims · $4.8M
Orange Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Baldwin County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orange Beach
Disasters that paid out in Orange Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Orange Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally1,750 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$17.5M to the City of Orange Beach for repairs521 flood claims paid for it, $29.0M
- 2017Hurricane Nate$2.4M to the City of Orange Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding189 households applied for aid$326K aid approved$193K to the City of Orange Beach for repairs129 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$817K to the City of Orange Beach for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Tropical Storm Ida$841K to the City of Orange Beach for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Hurricane Ike$1.2M to the City of Orange Beach for repairs
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$1.3M to the City of Orange Beach for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina130 households applied for aid$162K aid approved$5.3M to the City of Orange Beach for repairs32 flood claims paid for it, $501K
- 2005Hurricane Dennis57 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$148K to the City of Orange Beach for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2,411 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$7.4M to the City of Orange Beach for repairs711 flood claims paid for it, $115M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved711 flood claims paid for it, $115M
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$153K to the City of Orange Beach for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
Baldwin County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Orange Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orange Beach archive →Orange Beach and its neighbors
Orange Beach is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foley | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 195 |
| Gulf Shores | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 5,586 |
| Orange Beach | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 1,665 |
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 Orange Beach faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Orange Beach residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Orange Beach
Is Orange Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orange Beach has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orange Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,665 claims in Orange Beach since 1995, $159M in all, or 111.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 164 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (711).
Is Orange Beach 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 Baldwin County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orange Beach?
Orange Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Orange Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Orange Beach, Hurricane Sally (2020): 1,750 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $17.5M to the City of Orange Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 711 paid, $115M.
Is Orange Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Orange Beach’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orange Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orange Beach’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.