FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sumiton than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumiton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #147 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (18%). 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 Sumiton 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 Sumiton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sumiton, and Sumiton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #147 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sumiton’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, Sumiton has more expected damage per building than 78% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Sumiton: $911K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sumiton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sumiton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sumiton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walker County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sumiton
Disasters that paid out in Sumiton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sumiton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding45 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$13K to the City of Sumiton for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Sumiton for repairs
Walker County has had 21 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 Walker County, 1998–1998.
Old photos of Sumiton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sumiton archive →Sumiton and its neighbors
Sumiton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumiton | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Dora | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Sumiton 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 Sumiton
Is Sumiton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumiton has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #147 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sumiton 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 Walker County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sumiton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sumiton’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 Sumiton?
By FEMA money that reached Sumiton, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2002): 9 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $13K to the City of Sumiton for repairs.
Is Sumiton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Sumiton’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sumiton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sumiton’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.