FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Locust Fork than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Locust Fork gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (21%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Locust Fork faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Locust Fork’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Locust Fork, and Locust Fork’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Locust Fork’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $369K a year in losses across Locust Fork: $216K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Locust Fork flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Locust Fork. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Locust Fork isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blount County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Locust Fork
Disasters that paid out in Locust Fork itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Locust Fork), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Blount County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Locust Fork after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Locust Fork archive →Get ready for what Locust Fork faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, 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.
- 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.
Questions about natural hazards in Locust Fork
Is Locust Fork at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Locust Fork has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Locust Fork in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Blount County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Locust Fork?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Locust Fork’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Locust Fork?
By FEMA money that reached Locust Fork, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2014): 2 households applied for aid, $25K approved.
Is Locust Fork at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Locust Fork’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Locust Fork.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Locust Fork’s residents lived in the 2020 census; 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. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.