FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pelham than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #125 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 545 claims here since 1979.
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 Pelham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pelham 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 Pelham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pelham, and Pelham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #125 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pelham’s residents live in 13 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, Pelham has more expected damage per building than 67% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.1M a year in losses across Pelham: $10.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pelham flood? Yes: 545 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pelham, from FEMA’s records: 56.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms5 claims · $159K
- Hurricane Ivan2 claims · $10K
Pelham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pelham
Disasters that paid out in Pelham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pelham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding221 households applied for aid$930K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes21 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$187K to the City of Pelham for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$14K to the City of Pelham for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan17 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$85K to the City of Pelham for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$37K aid approved38 flood claims paid that year
Shelby County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shelby County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Pelham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pelham archive →Pelham and its neighbors
Pelham is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Springs Village | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Alabaster | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Hoover | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 130 |
| Eagle Point | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chelsea | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pelham | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 545 |
| Helena | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Pelham 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 Pelham
Is Pelham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #125 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pelham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 545 claims in Pelham since 1979, $13.7M in all, or 56.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 99 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (5).
Is Pelham 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 Shelby County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pelham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pelham’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 Pelham?
By FEMA money that reached Pelham, Severe Storms and Flooding (2021): 221 households applied for aid, $930K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 5 paid, $159K.
Is Pelham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Pelham’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pelham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pelham’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.