On FEMA’s figures, Redland faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #85 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1990.
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 Redland 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 Redland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Redland, and Redland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #85 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Redland’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, Redland has less expected damage per building than 55% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Redland: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Redland flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Redland, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal1 claim · $28K
Redland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Elmore County.The storms Redland remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Elmore County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Redland itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19903 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Elmore County
- 19951 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Opal, declared for Elmore County
- 19961 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Elmore County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Redland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Redland archive →Redland and its neighbors
Redland is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Mountain | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Redland | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Blue Ridge | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wetumpka | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Redland 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 Redland
Is Redland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redland has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #85 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Redland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Redland since 1990, $161K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (1).
Is Redland 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 Elmore County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Redland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Redland’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 Redland?
By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Redland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Redland’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Redland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Redland’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.