First United Methodist Church · Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Wetumpka’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wetumpka gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #120 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Wetumpka 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 Wetumpka’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wetumpka, and Wetumpka’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #120 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wetumpka’s residents live in 5 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, Wetumpka has more expected damage per building than 64% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Wetumpka: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wetumpka flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wetumpka, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wetumpka isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Elmore County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wetumpka
Disasters that paid out in Wetumpka itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wetumpka), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes89 households applied for aid$257K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta$7K to the City of Wetumpka for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$117K to the City of Wetumpka for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding270 households applied for aid$643K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds188 households applied for aid$492K aid approved$8K to the City of Wetumpka for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$360K to the City of Wetumpka for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Ivan510 households applied for aid$607K aid approved$66K to the City of Wetumpka for repairs
Elmore County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Wetumpka after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wetumpka archive →Wetumpka and its neighbors
Wetumpka is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redland | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Blue Ridge | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wetumpka | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Wetumpka 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 Wetumpka
Is Wetumpka at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wetumpka has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #120 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wetumpka flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Wetumpka since 1979, $66K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wetumpka 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 Elmore County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wetumpka?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wetumpka’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 Wetumpka?
By FEMA money that reached Wetumpka, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 510 households applied for aid, $607K approved, and $66K to the City of Wetumpka for repairs.
Is Wetumpka at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Wetumpka’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wetumpka.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wetumpka’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.