Photo: Americasroof · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Adamsville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adamsville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (43%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Adamsville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Adamsville’s grade
Earthquakes are 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adamsville, and Adamsville’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adamsville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Adamsville: $652K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adamsville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adamsville, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $60K
Adamsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McNairy County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adamsville
Disasters that paid out in Adamsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Adamsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm102 households applied for aid$182K aid approved$36K to the Town of Adamsville for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes133 households applied for aid$791K aid approved$49K to the Town of Adamsville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storm and Straight-line Winds$152K to the Town of Adamsville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$173K to the Town of Adamsville for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Adamsville for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes59 households applied for aid$76K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$1K to the Town of Adamsville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
McNairy County has had 16 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 Adamsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adamsville archive →Get ready for what Adamsville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Adamsville
Is Adamsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adamsville has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (43%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adamsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Adamsville since 2010, $60K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Adamsville 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 McNairy County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adamsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adamsville’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 Adamsville?
By FEMA money that reached Adamsville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 133 households applied for aid, $791K approved, and $49K to the Town of Adamsville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $60K.
Is Adamsville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Adamsville’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adamsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adamsville’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.