Shawmut Historic District · Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Valley 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, Valley gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #38 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 Valley 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 Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valley, and Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #38 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Valley’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, Valley has less expected damage per building than 80% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Valley: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valley flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valley, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chambers County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Valley
Disasters that paid out in Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan12 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$247K aid approved
Chambers County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valley archive →Valley and its neighbors
Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lanett | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Valley 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 Valley
Is Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valley has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #38 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Valley since 2023, $19K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Valley 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 Chambers County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Valley’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 Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Valley, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 50 households applied for aid, $247K approved.
Is Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Valley’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valley’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.