Photo: Ktkvtsh · CC BY-SA 4.0Decatur’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then tornadoes (25%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Decatur 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 Decatur’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Decatur, and Decatur’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Decatur’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $974K a year in losses across Decatur: $532K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Decatur flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Decatur. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Decatur isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Newton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Decatur
Disasters that paid out in Decatur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Decatur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding12 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina785 households applied for aid$543K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Newton County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Decatur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Decatur archive →Get ready for what Decatur 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 Decatur
Is Decatur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Decatur has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and tornadoes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Decatur 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 Newton County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Decatur?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Decatur’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 Decatur?
By FEMA money that reached Decatur, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 785 households applied for aid, $543K approved.
Is Decatur at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Decatur’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Decatur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Decatur’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.