More hazard damage per building is expected in Stapleton than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stapleton 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 hurricanes (76%), then river and rain flooding (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Stapleton 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 Stapleton’s grade
Hurricanes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stapleton, and Stapleton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #174 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stapleton’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, Stapleton has more expected damage per building than 93% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Stapleton: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stapleton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Stapleton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Stapleton 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stapleton
Disasters that paid out in Stapleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to Stapleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally157 households applied for aid$108K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina102 households applied for aid$86K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis21 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan227 households applied for aid$311K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$23K 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 Stapleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stapleton archive →Stapleton and its neighbors
Stapleton is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Minette | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 7 |
| Stapleton | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 0 |
| Loxley | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 10 |
| Spanish Fort | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 21 |
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 Stapleton 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 Stapleton
Is Stapleton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stapleton 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 hurricanes (76%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Stapleton 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 Stapleton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stapleton’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 Stapleton?
By FEMA money that reached Stapleton, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 227 households applied for aid, $311K approved.
Is Stapleton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Stapleton’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stapleton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stapleton’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.