Tanner Farmhouse · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Semmes faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Semmes gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #163 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Semmes 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 Semmes’ grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Semmes, and Semmes’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #163 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Semmes’ residents live in 10 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, Semmes has more expected damage per building than 87% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Semmes: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Semmes flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Semmes, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $4K
Semmes 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Semmes
Disasters that paid out in Semmes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Semmes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta286 households applied for aid$298K aid approved$76K to the City of Semmes for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally799 households applied for aid$911K aid approved$48K to the City of Semmes for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Nate$5K to the City of Semmes for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding59 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,914 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Dennis138 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,211 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
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 Semmes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Semmes archive →Semmes and its neighbors
Semmes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semmes | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Mobile | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 4,186 |
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 Semmes 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 Semmes
Is Semmes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Semmes has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #163 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Semmes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Semmes since 2004, $14K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (1).
Is Semmes 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 Semmes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Semmes’ 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 Semmes?
By FEMA money that reached Semmes, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,914 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Semmes at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Semmes’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Semmes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Semmes’ 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.