Photo: Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Sylacauga as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylacauga gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #54 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1995.
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 Sylacauga 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 Sylacauga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sylacauga, and Sylacauga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #54 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sylacauga’s residents live in 8 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, Sylacauga has less expected damage per building than 72% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Sylacauga: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sylacauga flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sylacauga, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Opal2 claims · $16K
Sylacauga isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Talladega County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sylacauga
Disasters that paid out in Sylacauga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sylacauga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta$501K to the City of Sylacauga for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$4K to the City of Sylacauga for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan37 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$145K to the City of Sylacauga for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Talladega County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Sylacauga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sylacauga archive →Sylacauga and its neighbors
Sylacauga has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sylacauga | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Childersburg | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fayetteville | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mignon | — | 865 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oak Grove | — | 856 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Sylacauga 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 Sylacauga
Is Sylacauga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sylacauga has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #54 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sylacauga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Sylacauga since 1995, $603K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Opal (2).
Is Sylacauga 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 Talladega County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sylacauga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sylacauga’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 Sylacauga?
By FEMA money that reached Sylacauga, Hurricane Zeta (2020): $501K to the City of Sylacauga for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Opal: 2 paid, $16K.
Is Sylacauga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Sylacauga’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sylacauga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sylacauga’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.