Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0For tornadoes, Trinity’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trinity gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #53 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2002.
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 Trinity 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
Earthquakes
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 Trinity’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Trinity, and Trinity’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #53 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Trinity’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, Trinity has less expected damage per building than 72% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Trinity: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Trinity flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trinity, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $111K
Trinity isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morgan County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Trinity
Disasters that paid out in Trinity itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Trinity), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding259 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$18K to the City of Trinity for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$841 aid approved
- 1998Riv-severe Winter Wx 12/23/98$4K to the City of Trinity for repairs
Morgan County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Trinity after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trinity archive →Trinity and its neighbors
Trinity 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Decatur | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
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 Trinity 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Trinity
Is Trinity at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trinity has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #53 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Trinity flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Trinity since 2002, $279K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (2).
Is Trinity 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 Morgan County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Trinity?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trinity’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 Trinity?
By FEMA money that reached Trinity, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 259 households applied for aid, $101K approved, and $18K to the City of Trinity for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 2 paid, $111K.
Is Trinity at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Trinity’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trinity.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trinity’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.