Hazard Plain Preview: automated baseline

Etowah County, AL

Risk-assessment baseline packet

Unit
County area 01055
Release
2026-10
As of
2026-09-28
Storm Events data through
2026-06-30

Hazard Plain is an independent product built from public federal data. It is not a FEMA document and is not reviewed or endorsed by FEMA or any state agency.

A starting point for the plan's risk assessment (FEMA Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool, Element B). It does not replace local data or FEMA review. Section headings say which FEMA review item each table supports; whether an item is satisfied is decided by the plan and its reviewers.

Hazard Plain release 2026-10, as of 2026-09-28. Independent product; not a FEMA document.

Plan clock

Status
Expired on 2026-03-16
Plan
Division F (FEMA plan 108184)
Approved
2021-03-17
Expires
2026-03-16
As of
2026-09-28
Days
196 days since expiry
Update underway
none in FEMA's plan tracker

Generally not eligible for FEMA mitigation project grants (HMGP, FMA) until a new plan is approved, barring a 44 CFR 201.6(a)(3) exception. Planning grants are not affected.

What changed since your last plan (approved 2021-03-17)

New federal declarations
EM-3618-AL (1 declaration row; 1 counted incident)
Storm Events records since approval
71 (data through 2026-06-30)
Repetitive loss now
FMA RL 0, SRL 1 (44 CFR 77.2); any definition: 11
Repeat-flood change
First release: no prior release to compare.

Sources

FEMA, OpenFEMA HazardMitigationPlanStatuses v1, version 2026-09-26T121003Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/HazardMitigationPlanStatuses (API)

FEMA, OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, version 2026-09-27T010817Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries (API)

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

FEMA, OpenFEMA NfipMultipleLossProperties v1, version 2026-08-04T164045Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/NfipMultipleLossProperties (API)

Plan status for every jurisdiction listed in this county

JurisdictionTypeStatusPlanApprovedExpiresDays to expirynegative = days since expiryUpdate underwayNotes
Etowah County (unincorporated area)UnincorporatedExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2021-08-18
Altoona townTownExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-07-14
Attalla cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2023-02-09
Gadsden cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-11-04
Glencoe cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-07-14
Hokes Bluff cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-07-26
Rainbow City cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-02-04
Reece City townTownExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-07-25
Ridgeville townTownExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-08-16
Sardis City townTownExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-08-18
Southside cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-08-16
Walnut Grove townTownExpired on 2026-03-16Division F (FEMA plan 108184)2021-03-172026-03-16-196member approved 2022-08-16

Plan 108184 also lists 36 other participants not listed on this page (named in the XLSX file).

Source

FEMA, OpenFEMA HazardMitigationPlanStatuses v1, version 2026-09-26T121003Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/HazardMitigationPlanStatuses (API)

State plan status and tribal plans in this state: see the state page.

Supports B1-a: hazards

Hazards NRI does not cover: check locally

  • dam failure (incl. upstream dams)
  • levee failure
  • flash flood as its own subtype
  • ice jams
  • debris flows
  • erosion (riverine and coastal)
  • land subsidence and sinkholes
  • expansive soils

The 18 National Risk Index hazards, ranked by expected annual loss (EAL)

Rank by EALHazardNRI risk ratingEAL ratingEAL buildingsmodeled dollars per yearEAL agriculturemodeled dollars per yearEAL population equivalencestatistical value of life and injury, $13.7M per life, not property damageEAL total (see note)modeled dollars per yearStorm Events records since 1996countEvidence for an omissionNRI Not Applicable, no declaration and no Storm Events record since 1996Storm Events coverage note
1Inland FloodingRelatively ModerateRelatively Moderate$22,773,155$8,823$71,404$22,853,38236
2TornadoRelatively HighRelatively High$7,670,044$10,041$9,569,123$17,249,20820
3EarthquakeRelatively LowRelatively Moderate$2,194,952$885,373$3,080,325Not in Storm Events. Storm Events coverage of this hazard is limited; absence is not evidence of low risk.
4Cold WaveRelatively ModerateRelatively Moderate$13,365$83,779$2,249,217$2,346,3616Includes 2 Frost/Freeze records, event types the NRI definition of this hazard leaves out.
5Strong WindRelatively HighRelatively High$260,931$4,203$1,908,214$2,173,348271Includes 4 High Wind records and 13 Strong Wind records, event types the NRI definition of this hazard leaves out.
6Heat WaveRelatively LowRelatively Low$71$6,671$997,179$1,003,9217
7LightningRelatively ModerateRelatively Moderate$50,934$465,760$516,69414
8HurricaneRelatively LowRelatively Low$309,013$59,264$15,345$383,6236Includes 2 Tropical Depression records, event types the NRI definition of this hazard leaves out.
9HailRelatively LowRelatively Low$262,886$12,721$10,645$286,252104
10WildfireRelatively LowRelatively Low$130,397$291$29,975$160,6630Declared 1 time; no Storm Events record of this type. Storm Events coverage of this hazard is limited; absence is not evidence of low risk.
11DroughtRelatively LowRelatively Low$96,628$96,62838
12Ice StormRelatively LowRelatively Low$74,090$10,232$84,3222
13Winter WeatherRelatively LowRelatively Low$4,093$125$15,738$19,95625
14LandslideRelatively LowRelatively Low$5,942$3,410$9,3520No recorded events in Storm Events since 1996 (data through 2026-06-30). Storm Events coverage of this hazard is limited; absence is not evidence of low risk.
AvalancheNot ApplicableNot Applicable0NRI rates avalanche Not Applicable for this county, and no federal declaration for this county names it.No recorded events in Storm Events since 1996 (data through 2026-06-30).
Coastal FloodingNot ApplicableNot Applicable0NRI rates coastal flooding Not Applicable for this county, and no federal declaration for this county names it.No recorded events in Storm Events since 1996 (data through 2026-06-30).
TsunamiNot ApplicableNot Applicable0NRI rates tsunami Not Applicable for this county, and no federal declaration for this county names it.No recorded events in Storm Events since 1996 (data through 2026-06-30). Storm Events coverage of this hazard is limited; absence is not evidence of low risk.
Volcanic ActivityNot ApplicableNot Applicable0NRI rates volcanic activity Not Applicable for this county, and no federal declaration for this county names it.No recorded events in Storm Events since 1996 (data through 2026-06-30). Storm Events coverage of this hazard is limited; absence is not evidence of low risk.

Total = buildings + agriculture + population equivalence; FEMA values each expected death (or 10 injuries) at $13.7 million (2024 dollars).

Sources

FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

Check your state hazard mitigation plan's hazard list for this county; explain any hazard you drop.

Supports B1-b: location

Where each hazard occurs

HazardLocationCensus tracts ratedrated of all tracts
AvalancheCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.0 of 33
Coastal FloodingCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.0 of 33
Cold WaveAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.33 of 33
DroughtAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.14 of 33
EarthquakeCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.33 of 33
HailAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.33 of 33
Heat WaveAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.33 of 33
HurricaneCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.33 of 33
Ice StormAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.33 of 33
Inland FloodingThe FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is the required location source for flooding. See the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (https://msc.fema.gov) for this county.33 of 33
LandslideCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.33 of 33
LightningAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.33 of 33
Strong WindAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.33 of 33
TornadoCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.33 of 33
TsunamiCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.0 of 33
Volcanic ActivityCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.0 of 33
WildfireCensus tract rating counts from the National Risk Index tract table (see B1-f). Tract maps and place names are not in this packet.30 of 33
Winter WeatherAffects the whole planning area; national data do not distinguish locations within the county. Confirm locally.33 of 33

Source

FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)

Supports B1-c: extent

Extent: scale, observed range and worst recorded event per hazard

HazardScaleRecordscount, yearsObserved rangeWorst recorded eventMost damaging (when different)How it applies to membersNote
Avalanchenone (count and damage)0Physical measure: in event narratives only; local data required.
Coastal Flood, Storm Surge/Tidenone in data (FIRM for depth)0Flood depth: see the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map.
Cold/Wind Chill, Extreme Cold/Wind Chillwind chill4, 1996 to 2014 (4 zone-level)2 days to 4 days (median 2.5 days); 4 with a recorded value4 consecutive days, 1996-03-07 to 1996-03-10, zone-levelZone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.Wind chill: in event narratives only; local data required.
Frost/Freeze (outside NRI Cold Wave definition)crop damage2, 2007 to 2007 (2 zone-level)No crop damage reported in 2 records.Zone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.Temperature: in event narratives only; local data required.
DroughtUS Drought Monitor D-scale38, 2006 to 2026 (38 zone-level)8 days to 519 days (median 36 days); 9 with a recorded value519 days (about 17.0 months), 2007-03-27 to 2008-08-26, a run of 18 consecutive Storm Events drought records, zone-levelZone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.Storm Events enters a drought at D2 or worse east of the Rockies and D3 or worse from the Rockies west (NWS Instruction 10-1605); NRI drought counts D3 and D4 only.
EarthquakeModified Mercalli (local data)0No Storm Events record; local data required (e.g., USGS).
Hailhail size (inches)134, 1961 to 20260.75 in to 4.5 in (median 1 in); 133 with a recorded value4.5 in hail, 1993-02-21Hail, 2003-05-02, $75,000 property; $0 crops (2003 dollars)Event records naming member places: Gadsden city (17 records), Hokes Bluff city (11 records), Rainbow City city (11 records), Glencoe city (8 records), Attalla city (5 records), Sardis City town (5 records), Southside city (5 records), Walnut Grove town (5 records), Altoona town (2 records), Reece City town (2 records).
Excessive Heat, Heatheat index (narratives)7, 1996 to 2025 (7 zone-level)1 day to 16 days (median 1.5 days); 6 with a recorded value16 consecutive days, 2007-08-08 to 2007-08-23, zone-levelZone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.Heat index: in event narratives only; local data required. Heat records from November to March (unseasonable warmth, not a heat wave) are counted but not used for the longest run.
Hurricane, Tropical Storm, Tropical DepressionSaffir-Simpson6, 2005 to 2020 (6 zone-level)Strongest recorded (records with damage, a wind speed or direct casualties first, then storm type, category and wind): Tropical Storm record, 2005-08-29 to 2005-08-30, $25,000 property; crops not reported, reported for the zone (2005 dollars); NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesZone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.Storm Events files every zone of a storm's episode under the storm's event type and category, so a Hurricane (Typhoon) record, especially an inland or remnant one, does not by itself mean hurricane-force winds here; read the damage and wind columns.
Ice StormSperry-Piltz (local data)2, 1998 to 2005 (2 zone-level)Ice Storm, 2005-01-28, $20,000 property; crops not reported, reported for the zone (2005 dollars); NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesZone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.Ice thickness: in event narratives only; local data required.
Flash Flood, Flood, Lakeshore Flooddamage and flood days (FIRM for depth)36, 1997 to 2026 (2 zone-level)Flash Flood, 2004-11-24, $200,000 property; crops not reported (2004 dollars)Event records naming member places: Gadsden city (9 records), Altoona town (3 records), Rainbow City city (2 records), Walnut Grove town (2 records), Attalla city (1 record). Zone-level records (2) apply countywide.Flood depth: see the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. Storm Events damage can be $0 or blank even for a major flood, so the worst record here may not be the worst flood; compare FEMA Public Assistance by declaration in B1-d.
Debris Flownone (count and damage)0Physical measure: in event narratives only; local data required.
Lightningannualized frequency (the measure FEMA's Local Mitigation Planning Handbook names)14, 1996 to 2010Lightning, 2005-07-27, $110,000 property; crops not reported (2005 dollars)Event records naming member places: Gadsden city (4 records), Hokes Bluff city (1 record), Rainbow City city (1 record), Southside city (1 record), Walnut Grove town (1 record).Storm Events lists lightning with damage or casualties; physical measure in event narratives only; local data required.
High Wind and Strong Wind (outside NRI Strong Wind definition)wind speed (kt and mph)17, 1996 to 2025 (17 zone-level)30 kt (35 mph) to 52 kt (60 mph) (median 40 kt (46 mph)); 17 with a recorded value52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust, High Wind, 2004-09-16; NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesZone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.
Thunderstorm Windwind speed (kt and mph)335, 1962 to 202635 kt (40 mph) to 87 kt (100 mph) (median 50 kt (58 mph)); 266 with a recorded value87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust, Thunderstorm Wind, 2008-08-02Thunderstorm Wind, 1999-02-27, $800,000 property; $0 crops (1999 dollars)Event records naming member places: Gadsden city (40 records), Hokes Bluff city (19 records), Rainbow City city (17 records), Sardis City town (12 records), Attalla city (10 records), Glencoe city (10 records), Walnut Grove town (10 records), Altoona town (9 records), Reece City town (5 records), Southside city (2 records).
TornadoEnhanced Fujita (F before Feb 2007)34, 1958 to 2023F/EF0 to F/EF4 (median F/EF1); 34 with a recorded valueF4 tornado, 2001-11-24, 1.8 mi within this county, 500 yd wide, $1,500,000 property; $0 crops (2001 dollars)Tornado, 2000-12-16, $10,000,000 property; $0 crops (2000 dollars)Event records naming member places: Sardis City town (3 records), Altoona town (2 records), Attalla city (2 records), Glencoe city (2 records), Hokes Bluff city (2 records), Gadsden city (1 record), Rainbow City city (1 record), Reece City town (1 record), Southside city (1 record), Walnut Grove town (1 record).From 1996 on, tornado records are per-county segments and length is the path length within this county (NWS Instruction 10-1605); records before 1996 may give the whole path length, including the path outside this county, and before 1996 a tornado is listed once, under the county where it began, with the whole path's rating; counties farther along the path may not list it. Length is not used to rank tornadoes.
Tsunaminone (count and damage)0Physical measure: in event narratives only; local data required.
Volcanic Ash, Volcanic AshfallVolcanic Explosivity Index (local data)0Physical measure: in event narratives only; local data required.
Wildfireacres burned (local data)0Acres burned: in event narratives only; local data required.
Winter Storm, Heavy Snow, Blizzard, Lake-Effect Snow, Winter Weather, Sleetnone in data (snowfall local)25, 1996 to 2026 (25 zone-level)Winter Storm, 1996-02-01, $15,000 property; crops not reported, reported for the zone (1996 dollars); NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesWinter Storm, 2000-01-28, $15,000 property; $0 crops, reported for the zone (2000 dollars)Zone-level records: applies countywide; national data do not locate these events within the county.Snow depth: in event narratives only; local data required.

Storm Events records are more complete after 1996; before 1996 only Tornado (from 1950), Hail and Thunderstorm Wind (from 1955) exist. Zone-level records are placed with NWS zone-county files, which exist from 2020 on; an earlier record is placed by its zone number in the nearest later file only when its zone name matches that file, records from zones NWS renumbered are placed by name or left out, and a record whose zone is in no known file is left out of every count, so counts before 2020 can be low. Some current zones are also missing from the NWS files, so recent counts can be low too.

Dollars are nominal (as reported), labeled with the year; not adjusted for inflation.

Sources

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

NOAA National Weather Service, NWS county-public forecast zones correlation file, version bp03mr20 to bp16ap26 (11 files; newest bp16ap26), pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.weather.gov/gis/ZoneCounty

Supports B1-d: previous occurrences

Declaration rows
29
Counted incidents
24

Federal disaster declarations for this county

DeclaredIncident beganFEMA numberTypeTitleMapped hazardCounty Public Assistancefederal share obligated, nominal dollarsFlagsNotes
2024-09-262024-09-22EM-3618-ALEmergencyHURRICANE HELENEHurricane (primary); also designated: Tornadonone foundnew since last plan; within last 5 years
2020-09-142020-09-14EM-3545-ALEmergencyHURRICANE SALLYHurricanenone foundduring plan review, check whether your last plan included it
2020-07-102020-04-12DR-4555-ALMajor disasterSEVERE THUNDERSTORMSHazard not mapped (severe storm title names no single hazard); not counted$1,129,238.08during plan review, check whether your last plan included it
2020-03-292020-01-20DR-4503-ALMajor disasterCOVID-19 PANDEMICNon-natural, not counted$223,197.45during plan review, check whether your last plan included it
2020-03-132020-01-20EM-3472-ALEmergencyCOVID-19Non-natural, not countednone foundsame incident as DR-4503
2018-04-262018-03-19DR-4362-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOESTornado$971,185.92
2017-09-112017-09-08EM-3389-ALEmergencyHURRICANE IRMAHurricanenone found
2014-05-022014-04-28DR-4176-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODINGInland Flooding; Strong Wind; Tornado$638,887.94
2011-04-282011-04-15DR-1971-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODINGInland Flooding; Strong Wind; Tornado$176,580.95
2011-04-272011-04-27EM-3319-ALEmergencySEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDSStrong Wind; Tornadonone foundsame incident as DR-1971
2008-08-302008-08-29EM-3292-ALEmergencyHURRICANE GUSTAVHurricanenone found
2005-09-102005-08-29EM-3237-ALEmergencyHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATIONHurricane: evacuation support, not a local hazard event; not countednone found
2004-09-152004-09-13DR-1549-ALMajor disasterHURRICANE IVANHurricanePA not declared for this county
2003-05-122003-05-05DR-1466-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODINGInland Flooding; TornadoPA not declared for this county
2002-11-142002-11-05DR-1442-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOESTornadoPA not declared for this county
2001-12-072001-11-24DR-1399-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOESTornado$396,474.69
2001-11-202001-11-20FM-2395-ALFire managementAL - NORTH EAST ALABAMA FIRE COMPLEX - 11/20/2001Wildfirenone found
2000-12-182000-12-16DR-1352-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOESTornado$256,108.01
1996-02-231996-02-01DR-1104-ALMajor disasterSEVERE WINTER STORMS, ICE AND FLOODINGInland Flooding; Winter Weathernone found
1995-10-041995-10-04DR-1070-ALMajor disasterHURRICANE OPALHurricanenone found
1994-03-031994-01-16DR-1013-ALMajor disasterSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FREEZING, FLOODINGInland Flooding; Winter Weathernone found
1993-03-151993-03-13EM-3096-ALEmergencySEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORMWinter Weathernone found
1990-02-171990-02-03DR-856-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODINGInland Flooding; Tornadonone found
1979-04-181979-04-18DR-578-ALMajor disasterSTORMS, WIND, FLOODINGInland FloodingPA not declared for this county
1977-07-201977-07-20EM-3045-ALEmergencyDROUGHTDroughtnone found
1977-04-091977-04-09DR-532-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS & FLOODINGInland Floodingnone found
1974-04-041974-04-04DR-422-ALMajor disasterTORNADOESTornadonone found
1973-05-291973-05-29DR-388-ALMajor disasterSEVERE STORMS & FLOODINGInland Floodingnone found
1973-03-271973-03-27DR-369-ALMajor disasterTORNADOES & FLOODINGTornado (primary); also designated: Inland Floodingnone found

County Public Assistance: applicants the FEMA record places in this county, including any state agencies FEMA files there; statewide rows are listed on the state page; federal share obligated, nominal dollars.

Dollars are nominal (as reported), labeled with the year; not adjusted for inflation.

Statewide declarations

DeclaredIncident beganFEMA numberTypeTitleMapped hazardFlagsNotes
1961-02-271961-02-27DR-109-ALMajor disasterFLOODSInland Flooding

FEMA recorded these with designated area Statewide and no county. Listed on every county page in the state; not counted with county rows.

Source

FEMA, OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, version 2026-09-27T010817Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries (API)

Previous occurrences by hazard, with explicit no-event rows

HazardStorm Events recordsfull periodSince plan approvalrecordsDuring plan reviewrecordsLast 5 yearsrecordsDeclared incidentsdistinct incidentsDeclared since approvaldistinct incidentsPeriodStatement
Avalanche0000001996 to 2026-06-30No recorded events, 1996 to 2026-06-30, NOAA NCEI Storm Events
Coastal Flooding0000001996 to 2026-06-30No recorded events, 1996 to 2026-06-30, NOAA NCEI Storm Events
Cold Wave6000001996 to 2026-06-30Includes 2 Frost/Freeze records, event types the NRI definition of this hazard leaves out.
Drought38909101996 to 2026-06-30
Earthquake000000No Storm Events record; local data required (e.g., USGS).
Hail134928001955 to 2026-06-30
Heat Wave7202001996 to 2026-06-30
Hurricane6010611996 to 2026-06-30Includes 2 Tropical Depression records, event types the NRI definition of this hazard leaves out.
Ice Storm2000001996 to 2026-06-30
Inland Flooding365141001996 to 2026-06-30
Landslide0000001996 to 2026-06-30No recorded events, 1996 to 2026-06-30, NOAA NCEI Storm Events
Lightning14000001996 to 2026-06-30
Strong Wind35242140201955 to 2026-06-30Includes 4 High Wind records and 13 Strong Wind records, event types the NRI definition of this hazard leaves out.
Tornado342321111950 to 2026-06-30
Tsunami0000001996 to 2026-06-30No recorded events, 1996 to 2026-06-30, NOAA NCEI Storm Events
Volcanic Activity0000001996 to 2026-06-30No recorded events, 1996 to 2026-06-30, NOAA NCEI Storm Events
Wildfire0000101996 to 2026-06-30No Storm Events records of this type; 1 federal declared incident (see declarations table)
Winter Weather25202301996 to 2026-06-30

Sources

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

FEMA, OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, version 2026-09-27T010817Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries (API)

NOAA National Weather Service, NWS county-public forecast zones correlation file, version bp03mr20 to bp16ap26 (11 files; newest bp16ap26), pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.weather.gov/gis/ZoneCounty

Notable Storm Events records

DateEvent typeMagnitude or extentDamagenominal dollarsDirect deaths, injuriesindirect not countedLocationFlagsWhy listed
2023-08-03Thunderstorm Wind70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust$0 property; $0 crops (2023 dollars)0, 20NOCCALULA FALLSnew since last plan; within last 5 yearsdeaths or injuries recorded
2008-08-02Thunderstorm Wind87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust$154,000 property; $0 crops (2008 dollars)0, 0WILLIAMS to MARKTONB1-c worst recorded: Thunderstorm Wind
2007-08-08Heat$0 property; $0 crops, reported for the zone (2007 dollars)0, 17NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesdeaths or injuries recorded
2007-03-27Drought$0 property; crops not reported, reported for the zone (2007 dollars)0, 0NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesB1-c worst recorded: Drought
2005-08-29Tropical Storm$25,000 property; crops not reported, reported for the zone (2005 dollars)0, 0NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesB1-c worst recorded: Hurricane, Tropical Storm, Tropical Depression
2005-07-27Lightning$110,000 property; crops not reported (2005 dollars)0, 0COUNTYWIDEB1-c worst recorded: Lightning
2004-11-24Flash Flood$200,000 property; crops not reported (2004 dollars)0, 0COUNTYWIDEB1-c worst recorded: Flash Flood, Flood, Lakeshore Flood
2004-09-16High Wind52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust$180,000 property; crops not reported, reported for the zone (2004 dollars)0, 0NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesB1-c worst recorded: High Wind and Strong Wind (outside NRI Strong Wind definition)
2001-11-24TornadoF4, 1.8 mi within this county, 500 yd wide$1,500,000 property; $0 crops (2001 dollars)0, 0ALTOONAB1-c worst recorded: Tornado
2000-12-16TornadoF3, 8.1 mi within this county, 500 yd wide$10,000,000 property; $0 crops (2000 dollars)0, 14GADSDENdeaths or injuries recorded
1996-03-07Cold/Wind Chillproperty not reported; $1,000,000 crops, reported for the zone (1996 dollars)0, 0NWS zone ALZ018 (ETOWAH), zone-level: may include parts of neighboring countiesB1-c worst recorded: Cold/Wind Chill, Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
1993-02-21Hail4.5 indamage not recorded (pre-1996 record)0, 0location not recordedB1-c worst recorded: Hail

The full list is in the XLSX file, sheet "B1-d Storm Events history" (654 rows).

Storm Events records are more complete after 1996; before 1996 only Tornado (from 1950), Hail and Thunderstorm Wind (from 1955) exist. Zone-level records are placed with NWS zone-county files, which exist from 2020 on; an earlier record is placed by its zone number in the nearest later file only when its zone name matches that file, records from zones NWS renumbered are placed by name or left out, and a record whose zone is in no known file is left out of every count, so counts before 2020 can be low. Some current zones are also missing from the NWS files, so recent counts can be low too.

Sources

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

NOAA National Weather Service, NWS county-public forecast zones correlation file, version bp03mr20 to bp16ap26 (11 files; newest bp16ap26), pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.weather.gov/gis/ZoneCounty

FEMA, OpenFEMA HazardMitigationPlanStatuses v1, version 2026-09-26T121003Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/HazardMitigationPlanStatuses (API)

State-declared emergencies are not in federal data. Add them from your state emergency management agency.

Tribal and special-area declarations in this state are listed on the state page.

Supports B1-e: probability

Probability: FEMA annualized frequency and descriptor per hazard

HazardFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)unit per rowUnitIn plain termsDescriptorDescriptor basisNRI events or days in its record period (hail, wind and tornado are area-weighted, so can be fractional)NRI periodLocationNote
Avalancheevents per year1994 to 2023 (30 years)see B1-fNot Applicable in NRI for this county; no descriptor.
Coastal Floodingevents per year at a location (modeled)not shownmodeledsee B1-fNot Applicable in NRI for this county; no descriptor.
Cold Wave0.895event-days per yearabout 0.895 days per yearLikelyevent-days in 3 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (10%)172005-11-12 to 2024-11-12 (19 years)countywideFrost/Freeze records are not counted in this descriptor: they record crop freezes, not cold waves.
Drought28.4event-days per yearabout 28.4 days per yearLikelyevent-days in 8 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (26.7%)8192000 to 2025 (25.25 years; D3 and D4 only)countywideNRI gives about 28.4 drought event-days a year here (its annualized frequency over 25.25 years; not its event count divided by the years), but Storm Events has a record in only 8 of 30 years. NRI counts from a different source that records far more events than Storm Events, so this descriptor reads much lower than NRI's frequency; read the two together.
Earthquake0.00293annual probability at a locationchance a given location in the county has at least minor-damage shaking in a year: 0.293%not shownmodeledsee B1-fDescriptor not assigned: the NRI value is the chance at a location in the county, not how often the hazard affects the county, and Storm Events does not record earthquakes.
Hail4.83events per yearabout 4.83 per yearHighly likelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)183.4 (modeled)1986 to 2023 (38 years)countywide
Heat Wave4.63event-days per yearabout 4.63 days per yearLikelyevent-days in 5 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (16.7%)782005-11-12 to 2024-11-12 (19 years)countywideNRI gives about 4.63 heat wave event-days a year here (its annualized frequency over 19 years; not its event count divided by the years), but Storm Events has a record in only 5 of 30 years. NRI counts from a different source that records far more events than Storm Events, so this descriptor reads much lower than NRI's frequency; read the two together.
Hurricane0.0349events per yearabout 1 in 29 yearsPossibleFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)121851 to 2024 (Atlantic)see B1-fNRI counts hurricane and tropical storm tracks passing within storm-force wind range; federal declarations are counted separately in B1-d and need not match.
Ice Storm0.452event-days per yearabout 0.452 days per yearPossibleevent-days in 2 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (6.67%)311946-12-31 to 2014-02-12 (67 years)countywide
Inland Flooding0.964event-days per yearabout 0.964 days per yearLikelyevent-days in 17 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (56.7%)271996 to 2023 (28 years)see B1-f
Landslide0.476events per year (modeled)about 1 in 2 yearsLikelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)not shownmodeledsee B1-f
Lightning63.2days per year with a strikeabout 63.2 days per yearHighly likelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)not shown1995 to 2023 (29 years; CONUS)countywide
Strong Wind4.06events per yearabout 4.06 per yearHighly likelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)1551986 to 2023 (38 years)countywide
Tornado0.527events per yearabout 0.53 per yearLikelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)not shown1950 to 2023 (EF2+); 1986 to 2023 (EF0-1)see B1-f
Tsunamiannual probability at the most exposed location (used in place of a county value)not shownmodeledsee B1-fNot Applicable in NRI for this county; no descriptor.
Volcanic Activityannual probabilitynot shownmodeledsee B1-fNot Applicable in NRI for this county; no descriptor.
Wildfire0.00191annual probability at a locationchance a given location in the county burns in a year: 0.191%Storm Events records in 0 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (0%)not shownmodeledsee B1-fNo Storm Events record of this hazard, 1996 to 2025; descriptor not assigned (the NRI value is the chance at a location in the county, not how often the hazard affects the county)
Winter Weather3.68event-days per yearabout 3.68 days per yearLikelyevent-days in 14 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (46.7%)702005-11-12 to 2024-11-12 (19 years)countywideNRI gives about 3.68 winter weather event-days a year here (its annualized frequency over 19 years; not its event count divided by the years), but Storm Events has a record in only 14 of 30 years. NRI counts from a different source that records far more events than Storm Events, so this descriptor reads much lower than NRI's frequency; read the two together.

FEMA annualized frequency (modeled) comes from the National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025). It is not recorded events divided by years, and what it measures depends on the hazard. For most hazards it estimates how often the hazard affects this county each year: it counts events or event-days (drought, heat wave, cold wave, winter weather, ice storm and inland flooding are in days per year; lightning is the number of days per year with a recorded cloud-to-ground strike, from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center daily lightning climatology); it may count events in the surrounding area (hail, strong wind, tornado, hurricane and ice storm use a 49 km grid and buffers) and is averaged over the county's area; and some hazards use a minimum value for places with no recorded event. Earthquake, wildfire and coastal flooding are different: FEMA computes them for each census block and averages them over the county, so the value is the chance (for coastal flooding, the modeled number of floods per year) at a location in the county, which is lower than the chance that the hazard strikes somewhere in the county. Earthquake is the chance of at least minor-damage shaking (U.S. Geological Survey model); wildfire is the chance that a location burns in a large fire (U.S. Forest Service burn probability); coastal flooding comes from FEMA flood zones and NOAA high-tide flooding, so it can be above 1 where high-tide flooding is frequent. Tsunami is the value at the county's most exposed location, from recorded events and modeled return periods. For these four hazards the packet gives no "1 in N years" and takes the descriptor from Storm Events (none for earthquake) unless the value is 1 or more a year. Landslide is a U.S. Geological Survey modeled county rate spread by slope susceptibility. Volcanic activity is the chance that a volcano affecting the county erupts in a year. Drought counts only extreme and exceptional drought (D3 and D4). Source: FEMA, National Risk Index Technical Documentation v1.20, sections 5.2.2 (Table 5), 5.2.3, 7.4, 10.4, 16.5, 17.1, 17.3.1, 17.5, 20.3.1, 21.4, 22.4 and 6 to 23.

Sources

FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

Descriptor scale used in this packet (defined per unit)

UnitDescriptorDefinition
events per yearHighly likely1 or more per year
events per yearLikelyabout once in 1 to 10 years
events per yearPossibleabout once in 10 to 100 years
events per yearUnlikelyless than once in 100 years
annual probabilityLikely10% to under 100% chance in a given year
annual probabilityPossible1% to under 10% chance in a given year
annual probabilityUnlikelyunder 1% chance in a given year
event-days (share of years)Highly likelyevent-days recorded in 90% or more of years
event-days (share of years)Likelyevent-days recorded in 10% to under 90% of years
event-days (share of years)Possibleevent-days recorded in some years but under 10% of years
lightning strike-daysHighly likelycloud-to-ground strikes on 1 or more days per year

Sources

FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

Intensity bands: historical frequency (Storm Events)

HazardBandYearsEventscounty-coded recordsYears in periodEvents per yearevents / years
Hail1.00-1.99 in1996 to 202567302.23
Hail2.00 in+1996 to 20254300.133
Strong Wind (Thunderstorm Wind records)50-64 kt1996 to 2025227307.57
Strong Wind (Thunderstorm Wind records)65 kt+1996 to 20257300.233
Strong Wind (Thunderstorm Wind records)unmeasured or below 50 kt1996 to 202511300.367
TornadoEF0-11996 to 202514300.467
TornadoEF2-31996 to 20255300.167
TornadoEF4-51996 to 20251300.0333
Tornadounrated (EFU)1996 to 20250300

Hail smaller than 1 inch is not counted: on 2010-01-05 the National Weather Service raised its severe-hail threshold from 3/4 inch to 1 inch, so smaller reports became less common after 2009 (NWS Service Change Notice 09-52). NRI hail frequency uses a 0.75 inch threshold.

Source

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

Optional: future conditions. Not a required item in the 2025 FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide; some states ask for it. The federal Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) site gives county exposure to future climate conditions.

Supports B1-f: variation across the planning area

Range of census tract risk within the county

HazardTractsrated of allRisk score minNRI score, 0 to 100MedianMaxTracts by ratingNote
Avalanche0 of 33Not Applicable 33
Coastal Flooding0 of 33Not Applicable 33
Cold Wave33 of 3337.362.482.9Relatively High 2, Relatively Moderate 27, Relatively Low 4National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. The tract range above mostly reflects where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.
Drought14 of 3369.183.493.1Relatively Moderate 1, Relatively Low 10, Very Low 3, No Rating 19National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. Agriculture is all of NRI's expected annual loss for this hazard in the county, so the tract range above mostly reflects where crop and livestock value is, not where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.
Earthquake33 of 3333.270.585.4Relatively Moderate 7, Relatively Low 25, Very Low 1
Hail33 of 3336.355.575.5Relatively Moderate 1, Relatively Low 31, Very Low 1National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. The tract range above mostly reflects where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.
Heat Wave33 of 3317.647.973.2Relatively Moderate 7, Relatively Low 26National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. The tract range above mostly reflects where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.
Hurricane33 of 3345.054.064.5Relatively Low 24, Very Low 9
Ice Storm33 of 3311.134.663.2Relatively Low 17, Very Low 16National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. The tract range above mostly reflects where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.
Inland Flooding33 of 3318.663.197.7Very High 1, Relatively High 4, Relatively Moderate 19, Relatively Low 9
Landslide33 of 3314.180.395.1Relatively Low 15, Very Low 18
Lightning33 of 3336.864.087.8Relatively High 5, Relatively Moderate 23, Relatively Low 5National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. The tract range above mostly reflects where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.
Strong Wind33 of 3366.186.096.1Relatively High 24, Relatively Moderate 9National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. The tract range above mostly reflects where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.
Tornado33 of 3378.096.999.8Very High 25, Relatively High 8
Tsunami0 of 33Not Applicable 33
Volcanic Activity0 of 33Not Applicable 33
Wildfire30 of 3321.478.189.1Relatively Moderate 1, Relatively Low 19, Very Low 10, No Rating 3
Winter Weather33 of 3320.327.640.4Relatively Low 33National data give a county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone) frequency for this hazard, so they cannot show members' hazard differing. The tract range above mostly reflects where buildings and people are. Confirm locally.

Rated tracts only: No Rating (score 0.0), Not Applicable and Insufficient Data tracts are counted but not used for the minimum, median and maximum.

Source

FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)

Per-member block (Starter, confirm locally)

MemberTypePlan statusRepetitive lossFMA RL and SRL (44 CFR 77.2); repeat-flood, any definitionPublic Assistance matchedfederal share obligated, nominal dollarsEvent records naming this placeall years; since the member's planNotes
Etowah County (unincorporated area)UnincorporatedExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 3$1,884,961.910; 0Includes $836,012.11 for declarations not counted as hazard incidents (DR-4503-AL, DR-4555-AL).
Altoona townTownExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$382,074.1516; 3
Attalla cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 2none found18; 2
Gadsden cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 1; any 2$145,130.5971; 5Includes $130,075.41 for declarations not counted as hazard incidents (DR-4503-AL, DR-4555-AL).
Glencoe cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$40,030.4420; 5
Hokes Bluff cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0none found33; 6
Rainbow City cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 4$359,216.3632; 3Includes $3,796.49 for declarations not counted as hazard incidents (DR-4503-AL).
Reece City townTownExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$308,163.908; 1Includes $308,163.90 for declarations not counted as hazard incidents (DR-4555-AL).
Ridgeville townTownExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$7,532.800; 0
Sardis City townTownExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0none found20; 3
Southside cityCityExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$553,398.019; 1
Walnut Grove townTownExpired on 2026-03-16FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0none found19; 1

Member rows are whole NFIP communities and need not add up to the county total: a community that extends into another county is counted in full on each member row, while the county table counts only its part in this county.

School districts and special districts get a plan clock row only.

Sources

FEMA, OpenFEMA HazardMitigationPlanStatuses v1, version 2026-09-26T121003Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/HazardMitigationPlanStatuses (API)

FEMA, OpenFEMA NfipMultipleLossProperties v1, version 2026-08-04T164045Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/NfipMultipleLossProperties (API)

FEMA, OpenFEMA PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries v1, version 2026-09-26T151157Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries (API)

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

Supports B2-a and B2-b: assets and impacts

Local data required

County-level starter. The plan must describe impacts for each participant and its own assets.

  • Critical facilities and lifelines per hazard
  • A problem statement per participant per hazard
  • Changes in development in hazard-prone areas since the last approval, or a statement of none (E1-a)
  • Future assets

County-level starter: exposure, expected annual loss and damage since the plan

HazardBuilding exposuremodeled dollarsAgriculture exposuremodeled dollarsPopulation exposedpeopleEAL buildingsmodeled dollars per yearEAL agriculturemodeled dollars per yearEAL population equivalencestatistical value of life and injury, $13.7M per life, not property damageEAL as % of exposurebuildings; agriculture where notedStorm Events damage since 2021-03-17county-coded records, property plus crops, nominal dollarsZone-level damage since planproperty plus crops, reported for the zonePublic Assistance since plannominal dollars; see noteNote
AvalancheNot Applicable in NRI for this county
Coastal FloodingNot Applicable in NRI for this county
Cold Wave$21,329,110,232$120,305,377103,320$13,365$83,779$2,249,217under 0.0001%
Drought$7,473,450$96,6281.29% (agriculture)$0NRI has no building exposure for this hazard; agriculture shown
Earthquake$37,629,522,364103,436$2,194,952$885,3730.00583%
Hail$21,329,110,232$120,305,377103,320$262,886$12,721$10,6450.00123%$0
Heat Wave$21,329,110,232$120,305,377103,320$71$6,671$997,179under 0.0001%$0
Hurricane$21,329,076,357$120,286,456103,320$309,013$59,264$15,3450.00145%none found (1 declaration)
Ice Storm$21,321,418,599103,284$74,090$10,2320.000347%
Inland Flooding$21,293,805,178$13,169,5612,613$22,773,155$8,823$71,404n/a (see note)$0NRI counts the full building value of any census block with some flood loss; this is not the value of buildings in the floodplain. Use local FIRM overlays for B2-a/B2-b. EAL as % of exposure: n/a.
Landslide$614,942,4093,449$5,942$3,4100.000966%
Lightning$21,329,110,232103,320$50,934$465,7600.000239%
Strong Wind$21,329,110,232$120,305,377103,320$260,931$4,203$1,908,2140.00122%$2,000
Tornado$21,329,110,232$120,305,377103,320$7,670,044$10,041$9,569,1230.036%$0none found (1 declaration)
TsunamiNot Applicable in NRI for this county
Volcanic ActivityNot Applicable in NRI for this county
Wildfire$1,447,878,763$19,307,51912,321$130,397$291$29,9750.00901%
Winter Weather$21,329,110,232$120,305,377103,320$4,093$125$15,738under 0.0001%$0

Totals since 2021-03-17 (Storm Events through 2026-06-30): 57 county-coded records, 57 with a damage value recorded (including $0), $2,000; 14 zone-level records, 13 with a damage value recorded (including $0), $0 reported for the zone; Public Assistance on counted declarations none found (1 declaration, 0 with PA).

Total = buildings + agriculture + population equivalence; FEMA values each expected death (or 10 injuries) at $13.7 million (2024 dollars).

FEMA does not split Public Assistance by hazard. A declaration mapped to several hazards is listed under each of them with its full amount, so the per-hazard column must not be added up; the unit total counts each declaration once.

Dollars are nominal (as reported), labeled with the year; not adjusted for inflation.

Sources

FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)

NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/

NOAA National Weather Service, NWS county-public forecast zones correlation file, version bp03mr20 to bp16ap26 (11 files; newest bp16ap26), pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.weather.gov/gis/ZoneCounty

FEMA, OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, version 2026-09-27T010817Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries (API)

FEMA, OpenFEMA PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries v1, version 2026-09-26T151157Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries (API)

FEMA, OpenFEMA HazardMitigationPlanStatuses v1, version 2026-09-26T121003Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/HazardMitigationPlanStatuses (API)

Supports B2-a: context

County context

MeasureValue
Population103,320
Building value (total, not at risk)$21,329,110,232
Agriculture value (total, not at risk)$120,305,377
NRI risk rating (all hazards)Relatively Moderate
Expected annual loss, buildings and agriculture, all hazards$34,032,419
Expected annual loss, population equivalence, all hazards (NRI values each statistical life at $13.7M; a modeled value of expected deaths and injuries, not property damage)$16,231,617
Social vulnerability ratingRelatively High
Community resilience ratingRelatively Moderate
NRI versionDecember 2025

FEMA's all-hazard expected annual loss total adds buildings, agriculture and population equivalence; the two parts are shown separately so the property figure is not read as including the statistical value of life.

Source

FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)

Supports B2-c: repetitive loss

Repetitive loss in this county, both definitions

DefinitionPropertiesSevere repetitive lossProperties
Repetitive loss, FMA definition (44 CFR 77.2)0Severe repetitive loss, FMA definition (44 CFR 77.2)1
Repetitive loss, NFIP insurance definition11Severe repetitive loss, NFIP insurance definition1

Your state NFIP coordinator's list may use the NFIP insurance definition, so its counts can be higher.

Repeat-flood properties: county and state-level rows

ScopeRL, FMApropertiesSRL, FMApropertiesRL, NFIPpropertiesSRL, NFIPpropertiesAny categorypropertiesMitigatedpropertiesCurrently insuredproperties
County total011111104
ETOWAH COUNTY *0030302
ATTALLA, CITY OF0020200
GADSDEN, CITY OF0121201
RAINBOW CITY, CITY OF0040401
State level, not in this county: county not reported0030300

Repeat-flood properties by plan member (NFIP community)

MemberNFIP community IDRL, FMApropertiesSRL, FMApropertiesRL, NFIPpropertiesSRL, NFIPpropertiesAny categorypropertiesMitigatedpropertiesCurrently insuredpropertiesNote
Etowah County (unincorporated area)0100770030302
Altoona town0100780000000
Attalla city0100790020200
Gadsden city0100800121201
Glencoe city0100810000000
Hokes Bluff city0102540000000
Rainbow City city0103510040401
Reece City town0102530000000
Ridgeville town0104930000000
Sardis City town0103610000000
Southside city0100820000000
Walnut Grove town0102520000000

Per-member types: XLSX sheet 'B2-c Members'.

Member rows are whole NFIP communities and need not add up to the county total: a community that extends into another county is counted in full on each member row, while the county table counts only its part in this county.

County repeat-flood properties by occupancy group

Occupancy groupRL, FMApropertiesSRL, FMApropertiesRL, NFIPpropertiesSRL, NFIPpropertiesAny categorypropertiesMitigatedpropertiesCurrently insuredproperties
single-family residential0090904
2 to 4 unit residential0000000
other residential0000000
non-residential0121200
not reported0000000

Institutional properties cannot be separated in this data: FEMA's occupancy groups have no institutional class, so they fall in non-residential or other residential in the table by occupancy group.

FMA RL and FMA SRL are the Flood Mitigation Assistance definitions (44 CFR 77.2), the ones the FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide cites; OpenFEMA's fmaRl field description omits the Increased Cost of Compliance clause of 44 CFR 77.2(i). NFIP repetitive loss (FEMA insurance definition, nfipRl) is 2 or more claims over $1,000 in 10 years and can drop to false when a property is mitigated. Also shown: NFIP severe repetitive loss, any category, mitigated and currently insured.

Your state NFIP coordinator's list may use the NFIP insurance definition, so its counts can be higher.

Counts are aggregates of FEMA's public NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (as of 2026-08-02). No property is identified. County assignment is FEMA's geocode.

Counts may differ from your state NFIP coordinator's list, which is the source the Handbook names.

In this county 0 properties are FMA repetitive loss but not NFIP repetitive loss, and 11 properties are NFIP repetitive loss but not FMA repetitive loss.

Exact counts; no count suppression.

Sources

Every table above lists its own sources. The full list, for the plan's bibliography (FEMA review item A4-a):

  1. FEMA, OpenFEMA HazardMitigationPlanStatuses v1, version 2026-09-26T121003Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/HazardMitigationPlanStatuses (API)
  2. FEMA, OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, version 2026-09-27T010817Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries (API)
  3. FEMA, OpenFEMA PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries v1, version 2026-09-26T151157Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries (API)
  4. FEMA, OpenFEMA NfipMultipleLossProperties v1, version 2026-08-04T164045Z, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/NfipMultipleLossProperties (API)
  5. FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)
  6. NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/
  7. NOAA National Weather Service, NWS county-public forecast zones correlation file, version bp03mr20 to bp16ap26 (11 files; newest bp16ap26), pulled 2026-09-28, https://www.weather.gov/gis/ZoneCounty
  8. U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2024 Gazetteer, 2020 place by county, CT county-to-cousub crosswalk, version 2024-gazetteer, pulled 2026-09-28, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_counties_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_cousubs_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_place_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_unsd_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_elsd_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_scsd_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/national_place_by_county2020.txt, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/ct_change/ct_cou_to_cousub_crosswalk.xlsx

OpenFEMA disclaimer

This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Hazard Plain is an independent product built from public federal data. It is not a FEMA document and is not reviewed or endorsed by FEMA or any state agency.

Reuse, citation and corrections

Reuse and citation: Hazard Plain text and tables are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); credit Hazard Plain and the release. The underlying federal data are public domain; OpenFEMA data are also subject to the OpenFEMA terms and conditions.

Cite this: Hazard Plain (2026). Etowah County, AL: risk-assessment baseline packet, release 2026-10 (data as of 2026-09-28; County area 01055). Preview: automated baseline. Built from FEMA OpenFEMA, the FEMA National Risk Index and NOAA NCEI Storm Events; source versions in the packet's Sources list.

Corrections: to report an error, name the packet, the table and what your records show. Contact: to be added

Hazard Plain release 2026-10. As of 2026-09-28; Storm Events data through 2026-06-30. File hazard-plain_2026-10_AL_01055. Preview: automated baseline.