Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Alexandria
Alexandria isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Alexandria yet. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
What Alexandria 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.
Does Alexandria flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alexandria, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $5K
Alexandria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeKalb County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Alexandria
Disasters that paid out in Alexandria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Alexandria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes31 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$22K to the Town of Alexandria for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
DeKalb County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Alexandria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alexandria archive →Get ready for what Alexandria 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 Alexandria
Does Alexandria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Alexandria since 2010, $5K in all. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Alexandria 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 DeKalb County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alexandria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alexandria’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 Alexandria?
By FEMA money that reached Alexandria, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 31 households applied for aid, $80K approved, and $22K to the Town of Alexandria for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alexandria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alexandria’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.