Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Silverhill’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silverhill gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #184 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1997.
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 Silverhill 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 Silverhill’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Silverhill, and Silverhill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #184 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Silverhill’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, Silverhill has more expected damage per building than 98% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $608K a year in losses across Silverhill: $517K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Silverhill flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Silverhill, from FEMA’s records: 37.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Danny3 claims · $161K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $88K
- Hurricane Sally2 claims · $131K
Silverhill 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Silverhill
Disasters that paid out in Silverhill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Silverhill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally622 households applied for aid$393K aid approved$607K to the Town of Silverhill for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $131K
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding71 households applied for aid$218K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$3K to the Town of Silverhill for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina131 households applied for aid$80K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis28 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan463 households applied for aid$320K aid approved$537K to the Town of Silverhill for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$14K 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 Silverhill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Silverhill archive →Get ready for what Silverhill 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 Silverhill
Is Silverhill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silverhill has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #184 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Silverhill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Silverhill since 1997, $674K in all, or 37.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Danny (3).
Is Silverhill 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 Silverhill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Silverhill’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 Silverhill?
By FEMA money that reached Silverhill, Hurricane Sally (2020): 622 households applied for aid, $393K approved, and $607K to the Town of Silverhill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Danny: 3 paid, $161K.
Is Silverhill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Silverhill’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Silverhill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Silverhill’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.