More hazard damage per building is expected in Rainbow City than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rainbow City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #122 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1982.
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 Rainbow 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Rainbow City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rainbow City, and Rainbow City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #122 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rainbow City’s residents live in 4 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, Rainbow City has more expected damage per building than 65% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Rainbow City: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rainbow City flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rainbow City, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rainbow 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: Etowah County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rainbow City
Disasters that paid out in Rainbow City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rainbow City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Tornadoes45 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$320K to the City of Rainbow City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$135 aid approved$35K to the City of Rainbow City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$844 aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Etowah County has had 25 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 Etowah County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Rainbow City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rainbow City archive →Rainbow City and its neighbors
Rainbow City is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Rainbow 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Rainbow City
Is Rainbow City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rainbow City has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #122 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rainbow City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Rainbow City since 1982, $221K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Rainbow 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 Etowah County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rainbow City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rainbow 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 Rainbow City?
By FEMA money that reached Rainbow City, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2018): 45 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $320K to the City of Rainbow City for repairs.
Is Rainbow City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Rainbow City’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rainbow City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rainbow 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.