Photo: Robert Haugland · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Knoxville’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knoxville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #191 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (14%). 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 Knoxville 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Knoxville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Knoxville, and Knoxville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #191 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Knoxville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Knoxville has less expected damage per building than 75% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $830K a year in losses across Knoxville: $364K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Knoxville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Knoxville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Knoxville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Knoxville
Disasters that paid out in Knoxville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Knoxville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding48 households applied for aid$137K aid approved
Knox County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Knoxville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Knoxville archive →Knoxville and its neighbors
Knoxville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Knox Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Galesburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Galesburg City Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Knoxville 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Knoxville
Is Knoxville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knoxville has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #191 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Knoxville 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 Knox County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Knoxville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Knoxville’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 Knoxville?
By FEMA money that reached Knoxville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 48 households applied for aid, $137K approved.
Is Knoxville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Knoxville’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Knoxville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Knoxville’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.