Nash County Courthouse · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Nashville than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nashville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #55 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1983.
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 Nashville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nashville 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
Hurricanes
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 Nashville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nashville, and Nashville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 23% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #55 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nashville’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Nashville has less expected damage per building than 81% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Nashville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nashville flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nashville, from FEMA’s records: 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd14 claims · $964K
- Hurricane Matthew13 claims · $521K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $521
Nashville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Nash County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nashville
Disasters that paid out in Nashville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Nashville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene41 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew124 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$69K to the Town of Nashville for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $521K
- 2011Hurricane Irene69 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$100K to the Town of Nashville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel77 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$34K to the Town of Nashville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $521
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$57K to the Town of Nashville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of Nashville for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$189K to the Town of Nashville for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $964K
Nash County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Nashville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nashville archive →Get ready for what Nashville 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Nashville residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Nashville
Is Nashville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nashville has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #55 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nashville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Nashville since 1983, $1.8M in all, or 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (14).
Is Nashville 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 Nash County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nashville?
Nashville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Nashville?
By FEMA money that reached Nashville, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $189K to the Town of Nashville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 14 paid, $964K.
Is Nashville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Nashville’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nashville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nashville’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.