Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Theodore’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Theodore gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #164 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (69%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1979.
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 Theodore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Theodore 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 Theodore’s grade
Hurricanes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Theodore, and Theodore’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
D #164 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Theodore’s residents live in 2 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, Theodore has more expected damage per building than 88% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Theodore: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Theodore flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Theodore, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Danny2 claims · $28K
- Hurricane Frederic1 claim · $14K
- Hurricane Georges1 claim · $9K
Theodore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mobile County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Theodore
Disasters that paid out in Theodore itself (aid to households or repair grants to Theodore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes18 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta447 households applied for aid$646K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Sally2,174 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding386 households applied for aid$336K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5,163 households applied for aid$5.6M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $28K
- 2005Hurricane Dennis248 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2,720 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding512 households applied for aid$654K aid approved
Mobile County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Theodore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Theodore archive →Theodore and its neighbors
Theodore 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 23 |
| Tillmans Corner | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 10 |
| Mobile | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 4,186 |
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 Theodore 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 Theodore
Is Theodore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Theodore has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #164 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (69%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Theodore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Theodore since 1979, $321K in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Danny (2).
Is Theodore 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 Mobile County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Theodore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Theodore’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 Theodore?
By FEMA money that reached Theodore, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 5,163 households applied for aid, $5.6M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Danny: 2 paid, $28K.
Is Theodore at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Theodore’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Theodore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Theodore’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.