Natural Disasters in Decatur, AL
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
88.8
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
87.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
60.9
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
47.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Tornado | 98.3 |
| Lightning | 93.0 |
| Earthquake | 92.3 |
| Strong Wind | 90.5 |
| Heat Wave | 88.1 |
| Cold Wave | 83.7 |
| Winter Weather | 83.7 |
| Ice Storm | 73.1 |
| Hurricane | 68.0 |
| Hail | 49.0 |
| Wildfire | 48.9 |
| Drought | 47.8 |
| Landslide | 26.4 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
23
Most Recent
Hurricane
Sep 2024
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
10 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2024 | Hurricane | HURRICANE HELENE |
| May 5, 2023 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Jan 15, 2023 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Sep 14, 2020 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SALLY |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Apr 17, 2019 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Sep 11, 2017 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRMA |
| Apr 28, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Apr 27, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Aug 30, 2008 | Hurricane | HURRICANE GUSTAV |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 15, 2004 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IVAN |
| May 12, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Nov 14, 2002 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES |
| Jan 15, 1999 | Severe Storm | RIV-SEVERE WINTER WX 12/23/98 |
| Feb 23, 1996 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, ICE AND FLOODING |
| Mar 15, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM |
| Jan 4, 1991 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Feb 17, 1990 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING |
| Jul 20, 1977 | Drought | DROUGHT |
Showing 20 of 23 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
200
Total Claims Paid
$3,041,159
Avg Claim Payout
$15,206
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$2,029,909
Disasters with PA
5
Total Projects
88
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1971 | Severe Storm(s) | 42 | $950,458 |
| DR-4710 | Other | 15 | $440,384 |
| DR-1261 | Severe Storm(s) | 19 | $331,255 |
| DR-4426 | Other | 11 | $297,362 |
| DR-4503 | Biological | 1 | $10,450 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
20
Federal Funding
$1,851,930
Properties Protected
11
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
4.82
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures | 9 | $1,323,453 |
| 405.1: Other Minor Flood Control | 4 | $81,888 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 2 | $4,006 |
| 400.1: Utility Protective Measures (Electric, Gas, etc.) | 2 | $331,958 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $39,396 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Decatur has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are tornado, lightning, earthquake. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (10 declarations). 200 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $2,029,909 in public assistance recovery funding. 20 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.