Montgomery, Alabama: natural disaster risk
How exposed Montgomery is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Montgomery County.
Montgomery is a city of 197,494 people in Montgomery County, Alabama. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Montgomery County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, tornado and heat wave, with about $87.3 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 528 storm reports in the county since 1956, including 58 tornadoes and 45 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 3 hurricanes and 21 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.9% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Montgomery County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Montgomery
Full Montgomery 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.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $51M | |
| Tornado | $13M | |
| Heat wave | $7M | |
| Earthquake | $6M | |
| Hurricane | $4M | |
| Strong wind | $3M | |
| Lightning | $2M | |
| Hail | $580K | |
| Cold wave | $204K | |
| Drought | $182K | |
| Ice storm | $152K | |
| Wildfire | $41K |
Homes in Montgomery
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 Montgomery County
Other cities in Alabama
All ›Common questions about Montgomery
Is Montgomery safe from natural disasters?
Montgomery is in Montgomery County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, tornado, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Montgomery?
By expected yearly losses in Montgomery County, the top hazards are inland flooding (High), tornado (High), heat wave (High). Montgomery County has been part of 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Montgomery get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 58 tornadoes in Montgomery County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on May 3, 1984. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Montgomery?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Montgomery County, about 0.9% 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.