Photo: The original uploader was Robivy64 at English Wikipedia. · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Prattville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prattville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #65 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 Prattville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prattville 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 Prattville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prattville, and Prattville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #65 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prattville’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, Prattville has less expected damage per building than 66% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.1M a year in losses across Prattville: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prattville flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prattville, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $18K
- Hurricane Opal2 claims · $3K
Prattville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Autauga County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Prattville
Disasters that paid out in Prattville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Prattville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes313 households applied for aid$768K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$123K to the City of Prattville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding279 households applied for aid$377K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds113 households applied for aid$253K aid approved$217K to the City of Prattville for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$33K to the City of Prattville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan808 households applied for aid$915K aid approved$128K to the City of Prattville for repairs
Autauga County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Prattville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prattville archive →Prattville and its neighbors
Prattville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prattville | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Millbrook | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Prattville 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.
- Prattville residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Prattville
Is Prattville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prattville has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #65 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prattville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Prattville since 1980, $765K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (3).
Is Prattville 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 Autauga County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Prattville?
Prattville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Prattville?
By FEMA money that reached Prattville, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 808 households applied for aid, $915K approved, and $128K to the City of Prattville for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 3 paid, $18K.
Is Prattville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Prattville’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prattville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prattville’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.