Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 35203, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Birmingham, AL (35203) are Inland Flooding, Tornado, and Earthquake.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$2,110,594

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 35203

81.6Score

Relatively High compared to US average

35203
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Tornado

$733,832

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 35203

91.5Score

Very High compared to US average

35203
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Earthquake

$262,318

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 35203

77.7Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

35203
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$2,110,594
Score: 81.6
MAJOR DRIVER
Tornado
$733,832
Score: 91.5
MAJOR DRIVER
Earthquake
$262,318
Score: 77.7
Cold Wave
$121,960
Score: 58.7
Heat Wave
$57,350
Score: 45.7
Lightning
$32,703
Score: 66.1
Strong Wind
$30,102
Score: 51.4
Hurricane
$20,645
Score: 53.4
Ice Storm
$12,409
Score: 60.6
Hail
$2,001
Score: 23.4
Winter Weather
$1,626
Score: 31.6
Wildfire
$2
Score: 13.1
Landslide
$1
Score: 32.4

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 81.6
🌪️High Investment

Tornado Mitigation

Reinforce garage doors and consider a FEMA-approved safe room or storm cellar.

Risk Score: 91.5
🏠Low Investment

Earthquake Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 77.7

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 35233Zip Code 35234Zip Code 35204Zip Code 35249Zip Code 35205Zip Code 35222