FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Satsuma than in 95% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Satsuma gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #172 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 85 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 Satsuma’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Satsuma 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 Satsuma’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Satsuma, and Satsuma’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #172 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Satsuma’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, Satsuma has more expected damage per building than 92% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Satsuma: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Satsuma flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Satsuma, from FEMA’s records: 32.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Georges6 claims · $66K
- Hurricane Katrina3 claims · $103K
- Tropical Storm Isidore1 claim · $4K
Satsuma 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Satsuma
Disasters that paid out in Satsuma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Satsuma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta49 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$87K to the City of Satsuma for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally215 households applied for aid$336K aid approved$340K to the City of Satsuma for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Nate$44K to the City of Satsuma for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$2K to the City of Satsuma for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$16K to the City of Satsuma for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$5K to the City of Satsuma for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Katrina914 households applied for aid$551K aid approved$132K to the City of Satsuma for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $103K
- 2005Hurricane Dennis92 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$28K to the City of Satsuma for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan431 households applied for aid$321K aid approved$78K to the City of Satsuma for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$10K to the City of Satsuma for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
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 Satsuma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Satsuma archive →Satsuma and its neighbors
Satsuma is 3rd of the 4 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 Satsuma 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 Satsuma
Is Satsuma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Satsuma has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #172 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Satsuma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Satsuma since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 32.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Georges (6).
Is Satsuma 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 Satsuma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Satsuma’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 Satsuma?
By FEMA money that reached Satsuma, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 914 households applied for aid, $551K approved, and $132K to the City of Satsuma for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Georges: 6 paid, $66K.
Is Satsuma at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Satsuma’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Satsuma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Satsuma’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.