Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Trion’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trion gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1990.
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 Trion’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Trion 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 Trion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Trion, and Trion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Trion’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Trion: $694K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Trion flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trion, from FEMA’s records: 48.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms27 claims · $971K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $18K
Trion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chattooga County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Trion
Disasters that paid out in Trion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Trion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding133 households applied for aid$379K aid approved28 flood claims paid that year
Chattooga County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Trion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trion archive →Get ready for what Trion 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 Trion
Is Trion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trion has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Trion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Trion since 1990, $1.3M in all, or 48.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (27).
Is Trion 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 Chattooga County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Trion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trion’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 Trion?
By FEMA money that reached Trion, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 133 households applied for aid, $379K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 27 paid, $971K.
Is Trion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Trion’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trion’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.