Photo: Rivers Langley · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Tallassee faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tallassee gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #31 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). 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 Tallassee 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
Hurricanes
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 Tallassee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tallassee, and Tallassee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #31 of 187 in Alabama; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tallassee’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, Tallassee has less expected damage per building than 84% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Tallassee: $903K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tallassee flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Tallassee. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Tallassee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Elmore County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tallassee
Disasters that paid out in Tallassee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tallassee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes41 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds9 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$4K to the City of Tallassee for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan280 households applied for aid$358K aid approved$31K to the City of Tallassee for repairs
Elmore County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Tallassee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tallassee archive →Get ready for what Tallassee 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.
- 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.
- 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 Tallassee
Is Tallassee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tallassee has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #31 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Tallassee 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 Elmore County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tallassee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tallassee’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 Tallassee?
By FEMA money that reached Tallassee, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 280 households applied for aid, $358K approved, and $31K to the City of Tallassee for repairs.
Is Tallassee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Tallassee’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tallassee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tallassee’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.