More hazard damage per building is expected in Summerdale than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summerdale gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (74%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
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 stands out about Summerdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Summerdale 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 Summerdale’s grade
Hurricanes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Summerdale, and Summerdale’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 62% of U.S. census tracts).
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Summerdale’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Summerdale: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Summerdale flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Summerdale, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sally1 claim · $3K
Summerdale 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 Summerdale
Disasters that paid out in Summerdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Summerdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally1,234 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$846K to the Town of Summerdale for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding233 households applied for aid$572K aid approved$40K to the Town of Summerdale for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$5K to the Town of Summerdale for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina235 households applied for aid$242K aid approved$46K to the Town of Summerdale for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis39 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$4K to the Town of Summerdale for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan896 households applied for aid$886K aid approved$824K to the Town of Summerdale for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$13K 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 Summerdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Summerdale archive →Summerdale and its neighbors
Summerdale is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foley | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 195 |
| Robertsdale | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 23 |
| Summerdale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 1 |
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 Summerdale 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 Summerdale
Is Summerdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summerdale has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (74%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Summerdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Summerdale since 2020, $3K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sally (1).
Is Summerdale 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 Summerdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Summerdale’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 Summerdale?
By FEMA money that reached Summerdale, Hurricane Sally (2020): 1,234 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $846K to the Town of Summerdale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sally: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Summerdale at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Summerdale’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Summerdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Summerdale’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.