More hazard damage per building is expected in Owens Cross Roads than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owens Cross Roads gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #159 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 59 claims here since 1980.
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 Owens Cross Roads’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Owens Cross Roads 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 Owens Cross Roads’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Owens Cross Roads, and Owens Cross Roads’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #159 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Owens Cross Roads’ 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, Owens Cross Roads has more expected damage per building than 85% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Owens Cross Roads: $978K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Owens Cross Roads flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Owens Cross Roads, from FEMA’s records: 58.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms4 claims · $129K
Owens Cross Roads isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Owens Cross Roads
Disasters that paid out in Owens Cross Roads itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Owens Cross Roads), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding184 households applied for aid$47K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Madison County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Owens Cross Roads after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Owens Cross Roads archive →Owens Cross Roads and its neighbors
Owens Cross Roads is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 406 |
| Owens Cross Roads | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| New Hope | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Owens Cross Roads 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 Owens Cross Roads
Is Owens Cross Roads at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owens Cross Roads has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #159 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Owens Cross Roads flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Owens Cross Roads since 1980, $877K in all, or 58.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (4).
Is Owens Cross Roads 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 Madison County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Owens Cross Roads?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Owens Cross Roads’ 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 Owens Cross Roads?
By FEMA money that reached Owens Cross Roads, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 184 households applied for aid, $47K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 4 paid, $129K.
Is Owens Cross Roads at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Owens Cross Roads’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Owens Cross Roads.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Owens Cross Roads’ 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.