David A. Barnes House · Photo: United States Governemtn · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Murfreesboro than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murfreesboro gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (42%). 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 Murfreesboro 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
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 Murfreesboro’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murfreesboro, and Murfreesboro’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Murfreesboro’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Murfreesboro: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Murfreesboro flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Murfreesboro. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Murfreesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hertford County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Murfreesboro
Disasters that paid out in Murfreesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Murfreesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$201K to the Town of Murfreesboro for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew74 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene217 households applied for aid$204K aid approved$78K to the Town of Murfreesboro for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds58 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel731 households applied for aid$426K aid approved$175K to the Town of Murfreesboro for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$586K to the Town of Murfreesboro for repairs
Hertford County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Murfreesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murfreesboro archive →Get ready for what Murfreesboro 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.
- 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 Murfreesboro
Is Murfreesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murfreesboro has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Murfreesboro 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 Hertford County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Murfreesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Murfreesboro’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 Murfreesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Murfreesboro, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 731 households applied for aid, $426K approved, and $175K to the Town of Murfreesboro for repairs.
Is Murfreesboro at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Murfreesboro’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murfreesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murfreesboro’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.