Natural Disasters in Florence, AL

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

85.5

Relatively Moderate

Expected Annual Loss

84.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

46.9

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

61.0

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Strong Wind94.1Cold Wave93.5Earthquake92.5
HazardRisk Score
Strong Wind94.1
Cold Wave93.5
Earthquake92.5
Tornado92.0
Lightning86.7
Heat Wave84.6
Ice Storm63.9
Hurricane61.1
Drought53.7
Winter Weather41.2
Landslide40.7
Hail30.1
Wildfire23.8

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 OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

18

Most Recent

Severe Storm

May 2023

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

7 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
May 5, 2023Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES
Sep 14, 2020HurricaneHURRICANE SALLY
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
Sep 11, 2017HurricaneHURRICANE IRMA
Apr 28, 2011Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Apr 27, 2011Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS
Aug 30, 2008HurricaneHURRICANE GUSTAV
Sep 10, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Aug 29, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA
Sep 15, 2004HurricaneHURRICANE IVAN
May 12, 2003Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Jan 15, 1999Severe StormRIV-SEVERE WINTER WX 12/23/98
Feb 23, 1996Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS, ICE AND FLOODING
Mar 3, 1994Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FREEZING, FLOODING
Mar 15, 1993SnowstormSEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM
Jan 4, 1991FloodSEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Jul 20, 1977DroughtDROUGHT
Mar 27, 1973TornadoTORNADOES & FLOODING

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

1,088

Total IA Distributed

$3,416,932

Repair/Replace

$197,954

Rental Assistance

$67,950

DisasterRegistrationsTotal IA $Avg Damage
DR-45961N/A—
DR-45731N/A—
DR-45631N/A—
DR-4503504$3,081,645—
DR-1971461$168,921$806
DR-146688$132,511$1,728
DR-154932$33,854$1,315

Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

141

Total Claims Paid

$1,400,360

Avg Claim Payout

$9,932

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$7,469,607

Disasters with PA

5

Total Projects

101

DisasterTypeProjectsFederal $
DR-4710Other16$3,385,294
DR-1971Severe Storm(s)27$2,038,001
DR-1261Severe Storm(s)13$1,061,527
DR-1466Severe Storm(s)38$530,793
DR-1605Hurricane7$453,992

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

36

Federal Funding

$1,171,886

Properties Protected

188

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

1.12

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan)14$379,614
206.1: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Private Structures11$603,436
206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures5$0
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan2$55,148
602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation2$15,452

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Florence has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, cold wave, earthquake. The area has had 18 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (7 declarations). 141 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $7,469,607 in public assistance recovery funding. $3,416,932 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 36 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.