Foster Auditorium, The University of Alabama · Photo: Ttownfeen · Public domainFor tornadoes, Tuscaloosa’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuscaloosa gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #57 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 111 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 Tuscaloosa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tuscaloosa, and Tuscaloosa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #57 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tuscaloosa’s residents live in 43 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, Tuscaloosa has less expected damage per building than 70% of Alabama towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Tuscaloosa has lower expected damage per building than 52% (#194 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $39.4M, is the 296th largest of those 400.
Does Tuscaloosa flood? Yes: 111 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tuscaloosa, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Nicholas15 claims · $337K
- The Mid-spring storms9 claims · $224K
- Tropical Storm Claudette4 claims · $67K
Tuscaloosa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tuscaloosa County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tuscaloosa
Disasters that paid out in Tuscaloosa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tuscaloosa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms and Flooding$649K to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding308 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$297K to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10,855 households applied for aid$15.0M aid approved$8.2M to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina464 households applied for aid$252K aid approved$1.0M to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$18K to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan228 households applied for aid$158K aid approved$224K to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$55K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Tornadoes$181K to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Tuscaloosa County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Tuscaloosa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tuscaloosa archive →Tuscaloosa and its neighbors
Tuscaloosa is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vance | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Holt | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brookwood | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cottondale | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tuscaloosa | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 111 |
| Northport | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
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 Tuscaloosa 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.
- Tuscaloosa residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tuscaloosa
Is Tuscaloosa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuscaloosa has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #57 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tuscaloosa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 111 claims in Tuscaloosa since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Nicholas (15).
Is Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Tuscaloosa?
By FEMA money that reached Tuscaloosa, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 10,855 households applied for aid, $15.0M approved, and $8.2M to the City of Tuscaloosa for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Nicholas: 15 paid, $337K.
Is Tuscaloosa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Tuscaloosa’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tuscaloosa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tuscaloosa’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.