Wheeler Hydroelectric Project · Photo: Tennessee Valley Authority · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Rogersville faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rogersville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). 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 Rogersville 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
Earthquakes
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 Rogersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rogersville, and Rogersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rogersville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $885K a year in losses across Rogersville: $561K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rogersville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Rogersville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Rogersville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lauderdale County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rogersville
Disasters that paid out in Rogersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rogersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
Lauderdale County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Rogersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rogersville archive →Get ready for what Rogersville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Rogersville
Is Rogersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rogersville has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Rogersville 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 Lauderdale County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rogersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rogersville’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 Rogersville?
By FEMA money that reached Rogersville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 28 households applied for aid, $37K approved.
Is Rogersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Rogersville’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rogersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rogersville’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.