Terra Ceia Village Improvement Association Hall · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Memphis than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Memphis gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #421 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (74%), then river and rain flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 188 claims here since 1981.
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 stands out about Memphis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Memphis faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
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 Memphis’ grade
Hurricanes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Memphis, and Memphis’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #421 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Memphis’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Memphis has more expected damage per building than 66% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Memphis: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Memphis flood? Yes: 188 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Memphis, from FEMA’s records: 45.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene149 claims · $14.6M
- The Blizzard of 199313 claims · $148K
- Hurricane Milton5 claims · $271K
Memphis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Manatee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Memphis
Disasters that paid out in Memphis itself (aid to households or repair grants to Memphis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Manatee County has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Manatee County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Memphis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Memphis archive →Memphis and its neighbors
Memphis has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Memphis faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Memphis
Is Memphis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Memphis has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #421 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (74%) and river and rain flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Memphis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 188 claims in Memphis since 1981, $15.4M in all, or 45.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (149).
Is Memphis 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 Manatee County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Memphis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Memphis’ 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 Memphis?
By FEMA money that reached Memphis, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 149 paid, $14.6M.
Is Memphis at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Memphis’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Memphis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Memphis’ 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.