Alexander’s biggest natural hazard is inland flooding
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Alexander comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is moderate for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1983. 6 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
What stands out about Alexander’s weather risks
Read from FEMA’s records below. The page puts what stands out first.
Does Alexander flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alexander, from FEMA’s records.
Alexander isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tallapoosa County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alexander
Disasters that paid out in Alexander itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alexander) and its biggest flood years.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes76 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$163K to the City of Alexander for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes$946K to the City of Alexander for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding79 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$12K to the City of Alexander for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$17K to the City of Alexander for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan86 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$126K to the City of Alexander for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid
Tallapoosa County has had 17 natural disasters declared since 1953, most often hurricanes and severe storms.
Old photos of Alexander after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alexander archive →How exposed is Alexander?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings here to be higher than in 54% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding and tornadoes.
Calmer than 450 of the 594 Alabama towns we cover.
Alexander covers 2 census tracts, combined by population.
What Alexander faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Tornadoes
Heat waves
Get ready for what Alexander actually faces
A short kit for its top hazards, 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.
- Know the nearest cooling center or air-conditioned library.
- Drink water before you feel thirsty.
- Check on neighbors who live alone.
- 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.
Alexander and its neighbors
Alexander ranks 2nd calmest of 3 towns around it. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Rating | Mostly | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksons' Gap | Very high | inland flooding | 1 |
| Alexander | Moderate | inland flooding | 2 |
| Our Town | Moderate | inland flooding | 0 |
Rating = expected yearly storm and flood damage as a share of what’s there, vs. U.S. communities. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Most disasters here begin in March–April
The month each of Tallapoosa County’s 17 declared disasters began, since 1953.
What these numbers can and can’t tell you
- An average, not a forecast. FEMA’s National Risk Index estimates the damage 18 kinds of natural hazards cause in a typical year, from decades of records and models. A quiet decade can follow a bad year.
- Compared by rate. “Higher than N%” compares yearly damage as a share of what’s there, so a big city isn’t rated riskier just for having more buildings.
- Money that reached town. Flood claims are matched to Alexander’s own flood-insurance community; household aid to the registrant’s city; repair grants to the City of Alexander.
- It follows property value. FEMA’s model weighs damage to buildings, so a place that recently lost many homes can rate lower than it feels. Across Alexander, expected losses total about $2.7M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alexander.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. An average of past damage, not a forecast.