Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 4.0Red Bay’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bay gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #27 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (21%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Red Bay 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 Red Bay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Bay, and Red Bay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #27 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Bay’s residents live in 2 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, Red Bay has less expected damage per building than 86% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Red Bay: $998K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Bay flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Red Bay. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Red Bay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Bay
Disasters that paid out in Red Bay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Bay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$39K to the City of Red Bay for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$109K to the City of Red Bay for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$24K to the City of Red Bay for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$64K to the City of Red Bay for repairs
Franklin County has had 18 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 Franklin County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Red Bay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Bay archive →Get ready for what Red Bay 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 Red Bay
Is Red Bay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bay has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #27 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Red Bay 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 Franklin County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Bay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Bay’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 Red Bay?
By FEMA money that reached Red Bay, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $109K to the City of Red Bay for repairs.
Is Red Bay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Red Bay’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Bay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Bay’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.