Claybank Log Church · Photo: Katie Pollock · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ozark than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ozark gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #14 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims 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 Ozark’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ozark 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
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 Ozark’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ozark, and Ozark’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B #14 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ozark’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, Ozark has less expected damage per building than 93% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Ozark: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ozark flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ozark, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto3 claims · $52K
Ozark isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dale County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ozark
Disasters that paid out in Ozark itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ozark), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$108K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael$21K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$15K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$87K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$69K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes26 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$46K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan133 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$104K to the City of Ozark for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Dale County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Ozark after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ozark archive →Get ready for what Ozark 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.
- 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 Ozark
Is Ozark at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ozark has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #14 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ozark flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Ozark since 1990, $297K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (3).
Is Ozark 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 Dale County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ozark?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ozark’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 Ozark?
By FEMA money that reached Ozark, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 133 households applied for aid, $89K approved, and $104K to the City of Ozark for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 3 paid, $52K.
Is Ozark at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Ozark’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ozark.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ozark’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.