FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Persifer Township than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Persifer Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (11%). 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 Persifer Township 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 Persifer Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Persifer Township, and Persifer Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Persifer Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $464K a year in losses across Persifer Township: $223K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Persifer Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Persifer Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Persifer Township 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 Persifer Township
Disasters that paid out in Persifer Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Persifer Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$6K to Persifer Township for repairs
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 Persifer Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Persifer Township archive →Persifer Township and its neighbors
Persifer Township is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knox Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Persifer Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Truro Township | — | 772 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Copley Township | — | 441 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Haw Creek Township | — | 370 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Orange Township | — | 566 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Persifer Township 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 Persifer Township
Is Persifer Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Persifer Township has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Persifer Township 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 Persifer Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Persifer Township’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 Persifer Township?
By FEMA money that reached Persifer Township, Snow (2006): $6K to Persifer Township for repairs.
Is Persifer Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Persifer Township’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Persifer Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Persifer Township’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.