Photo: Kylestonephotgraphy · CC BY-SA 4.0Pinson’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinson gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #80 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2003.
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 Pinson 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 Pinson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pinson, and Pinson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #80 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pinson’s residents live in 8 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, Pinson has less expected damage per building than 58% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Pinson: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pinson flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pinson, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms8 claims · $138K
Pinson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pinson
Disasters that paid out in Pinson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pinson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$180 aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding254 households applied for aid$202K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding67 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan40 households applied for aid$44K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding68 households applied for aid$181K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Jefferson County has had 35 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 Jefferson County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Pinson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pinson archive →Pinson and its neighbors
Pinson is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Point | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clay | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pinson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Birmingham | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
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 Pinson 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 Pinson
Is Pinson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinson has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #80 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pinson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Pinson since 2003, $265K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (8).
Is Pinson 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 Jefferson County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pinson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pinson’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 Pinson?
By FEMA money that reached Pinson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2012): 254 households applied for aid, $202K approved. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 8 paid, $138K.
Is Pinson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Pinson’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pinson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pinson’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.