Birmingham, Alabama: natural disaster risk
How exposed Birmingham is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Jefferson County.
Birmingham is a city of 198,173 people in Jefferson County, Alabama. Parts of Birmingham also reach into Shelby County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jefferson County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, tornado and cold wave, with about $262 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 1,620 storm reports in the county since 1952, including 111 tornadoes and 158 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 10 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.5% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Jefferson County, the county with most of the population Birmingham sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Birmingham
Full Jefferson County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $143M | |
| Tornado | $56M | |
| Cold wave | $23M | |
| Earthquake | $17M | |
| Heat wave | $11M | |
| Lightning | $5M | |
| Strong wind | $4M | |
| Hurricane | $1M | |
| Ice storm | $665K | |
| Wildfire | $330K | |
| Winter weather | $182K | |
| Hail | $116K |
Homes in Birmingham
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Jefferson County
More cities in Jefferson County
Other cities in Alabama
All ›Common questions about Birmingham
Is Birmingham safe from natural disasters?
Birmingham is in Jefferson County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, tornado, cold wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Birmingham?
By expected yearly losses in Jefferson County, the top hazards are inland flooding (High), tornado (Very High), cold wave (High). Jefferson County has been part of 37 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Birmingham get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 111 tornadoes in Jefferson County since 1950; the strongest was an F5 tornado on April 8, 1998 near Oak Grove. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county very high.
Do I need flood insurance in Birmingham?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Jefferson County, about 0.5% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.