Photo: Soulpatroller · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Robertsdale faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robertsdale gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #181 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (77%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1983.
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 Robertsdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Robertsdale faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Robertsdale’s grade
Hurricanes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Robertsdale, and Robertsdale’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #181 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Robertsdale’s residents live in 3 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, Robertsdale has more expected damage per building than 97% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Robertsdale: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Robertsdale flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Robertsdale, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $202K
- Hurricane Sally5 claims · $320K
- Hurricane Georges3 claims · $319K
Robertsdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Baldwin County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Robertsdale
Disasters that paid out in Robertsdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Robertsdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally1,790 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$4.3M to the City of Robertsdale for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $320K
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding173 households applied for aid$220K aid approved$66K to the City of Robertsdale for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$13K to the City of Robertsdale for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$19K to the City of Robertsdale for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$15K to the City of Robertsdale for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $154K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina313 households applied for aid$261K aid approved$130K to the City of Robertsdale for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Dennis88 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$33K to the City of Robertsdale for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2,083 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$2.8M to the City of Robertsdale for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1.0M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$477 aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $1.0M
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
Baldwin County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Robertsdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Robertsdale archive →Robertsdale and its neighbors
Robertsdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robertsdale | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 23 |
| Summerdale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 1 |
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 Robertsdale faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Robertsdale
Is Robertsdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robertsdale has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #181 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (77%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Robertsdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Robertsdale since 1983, $2.3M in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (6).
Is Robertsdale 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 Baldwin County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Robertsdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Robertsdale’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 Robertsdale?
By FEMA money that reached Robertsdale, Hurricane Sally (2020): 1,790 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $4.3M to the City of Robertsdale for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 6 paid, $202K.
Is Robertsdale at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Robertsdale’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Robertsdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Robertsdale’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.