More hazard damage per building is expected in Saraland than in 96% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saraland gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #174 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 311 claims here since 1979.
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 Saraland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Saraland 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
Hurricanes
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 Saraland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saraland, and Saraland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 47%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #174 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saraland’s residents live in 8 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, Saraland has more expected damage per building than 93% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Saraland: $12.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saraland flood? Yes: 311 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saraland, from FEMA’s records: 41.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina45 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Georges27 claims · $214K
- Hurricane Gustav7 claims · $66K
Saraland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mobile County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saraland
Disasters that paid out in Saraland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Saraland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta174 households applied for aid$204K aid approved$8K to the City of Saraland for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally626 households applied for aid$761K aid approved$613K to the City of Saraland for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Nate$28K to the City of Saraland for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding96 households applied for aid$101K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$17K to the City of Saraland for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $66K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,373 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$274K to the City of Saraland for repairs45 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Dennis213 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$59K to the City of Saraland for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,240 households applied for aid$963K aid approved$583K to the City of Saraland for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $20K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding186 households applied for aid$197K aid approved
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$3K to the City of Saraland for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $19K
Mobile County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Saraland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saraland archive →Saraland and its neighbors
Saraland is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prichard | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 136 |
| Creola | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 3 |
| Mobile | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 4,186 |
| Chickasaw | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 181 |
| Satsuma | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Saraland | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 311 |
| Axis | — | 326 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Saraland 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.
- 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.
- 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 Saraland
Is Saraland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saraland has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #174 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saraland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 311 claims in Saraland since 1979, $3.7M in all, or 41.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 45 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (45).
Is Saraland 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 Mobile County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Saraland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saraland’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 Saraland?
By FEMA money that reached Saraland, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,373 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $274K to the City of Saraland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 45 paid, $1.1M.
Is Saraland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Saraland’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saraland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saraland’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.