Photo: Jim Bowen · CC BY-SA 2.0For wildfire, Albany’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albany gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then wildfire (23%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1978.
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 Albany 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
Wildfire
Hail
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 Albany’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Albany, and Albany’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 23%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Albany’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Albany: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Albany flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Albany, from FEMA’s records: 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Albany isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shackelford County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Albany
Disasters that paid out in Albany itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Albany), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$133K to the City of Albany for repairs
Shackelford County has had 12 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shackelford County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Albany after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Albany archive →Get ready for what Albany 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Albany
Is Albany at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albany has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and wildfire (23%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Albany flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Albany since 1978, $106K in all, or 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Albany 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 Shackelford County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Albany?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Albany’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 Albany?
By FEMA money that reached Albany, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): $133K to the City of Albany for repairs.
Is Albany at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Albany’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Albany.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Albany’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.