Photo: CarolinePope22 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Southside faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southside gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #103 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Southside 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
Tornadoes
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 Southside’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southside, and Southside’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #103 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southside’s residents live in 5 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, Southside has more expected damage per building than 55% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Southside: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southside flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southside, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $10K
Southside isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Etowah County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southside
Disasters that paid out in Southside itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Southside), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Tornadoes53 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$541K to the City of Southside for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$12K to the City of Southside for repairs
Etowah County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Etowah County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Southside after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southside archive →Southside and its neighbors
Southside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southside | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Glencoe | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Southside 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Southside
Is Southside at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southside has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #103 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southside flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Southside since 2015, $10K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Southside 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 Etowah County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southside?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southside’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 Southside?
By FEMA money that reached Southside, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2018): 53 households applied for aid, $79K approved, and $541K to the City of Southside for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Southside at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Southside’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southside.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southside’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.