Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0Trussville’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trussville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #70 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1982.
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 Trussville 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 Trussville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Trussville, and Trussville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #70 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Trussville’s residents live in 9 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, Trussville has less expected damage per building than 63% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Trussville: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Trussville flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trussville, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Trussville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Trussville
Disasters that paid out in Trussville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Trussville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding112 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding72 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$113K to the City of Trussville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$942 to the City of Trussville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$46K to the City of Trussville for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Hurricane Ivan28 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$79K to the City of Trussville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding179 households applied for aid$508K aid approved$479K to the City of Trussville for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$58K to the City of Trussville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Trussville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trussville archive →Trussville and its neighbors
Trussville is 5th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson Valley | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clay | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Irondale | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Margaret | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Trussville | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Argo | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Birmingham | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
| Moody | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Trussville 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 Trussville
Is Trussville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trussville has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #70 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Trussville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Trussville since 1982, $710K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Trussville 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 Jefferson County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Trussville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trussville’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 Trussville?
By FEMA money that reached Trussville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 179 households applied for aid, $508K approved, and $479K to the City of Trussville for repairs.
Is Trussville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Trussville’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trussville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trussville’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.