Photo: Rivers Langley SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Phenix City faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Phenix City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #47 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1981.
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 Phenix City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Phenix City 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
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 Phenix City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Phenix City, and Phenix City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #47 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Phenix City’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, Phenix City has less expected damage per building than 75% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.5M a year in losses across Phenix City: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Phenix City flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Phenix City, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $224K
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $40K
- Hurricane Irma1 claim · $5K
Phenix City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Russell County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Phenix City
Disasters that paid out in Phenix City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Phenix City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$17K to the City of Phenix City for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$302K to the City of Phenix City for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$367K to the City of Phenix City for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$113K to the City of Phenix City for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$1K to the City of Phenix City for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan38 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$492 aid approved$102K to the City of Phenix City for repairs
Russell County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Phenix City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Phenix City archive →Phenix City and its neighbors
Phenix City is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Ladonia | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Smiths Station | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Phenix City | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Phenix City 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.
- 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 Phenix City
Is Phenix City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Phenix City has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #47 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Phenix City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Phenix City since 1981, $756K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (3).
Is Phenix City 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 Russell County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Phenix City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Phenix City’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 Phenix City?
By FEMA money that reached Phenix City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): $367K to the City of Phenix City for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 3 paid, $224K.
Is Phenix City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Phenix City’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Phenix City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Phenix City’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.