Mobile, Alabama: natural disaster risk
How exposed Mobile is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Mobile County.
Mobile is a city of 203,416 people in Mobile County, Alabama. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Mobile County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are hurricane, inland flooding and tornado, with about $298 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 1,117 storm reports in the county since 1950, including 129 tornadoes and 180 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 28 hurricanes and 32 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 7 of them major. About 3.6% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Mobile County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Mobile
Full Mobile County report ›- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
- 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.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | $178M | |
| Inland flooding | $81M | |
| Tornado | $10M | |
| Heat wave | $7M | |
| Coastal flooding | $6M | |
| Cold wave | $5M | |
| Lightning | $3M | |
| Earthquake | $2M | |
| Wildfire | $2M | |
| Strong wind | $1M | |
| Drought | $1M | |
| Hail | $953K |
Homes in Mobile
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 Mobile County
Other cities in Alabama
All ›Common questions about Mobile
Is Mobile safe from natural disasters?
Mobile is in Mobile County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are hurricane, inland flooding, tornado. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Mobile?
By expected yearly losses in Mobile County, the top hazards are hurricane (Very High), inland flooding (High), tornado (High). Mobile County has been part of 39 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Mobile get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 129 tornadoes in Mobile County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on November 21, 1997 near Saraland. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Mobile?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Mobile County, about 3.6% 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.