Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Athens as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #77 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1984.
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 Athens’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Athens 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
Earthquakes
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 Athens’ grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Athens, and Athens’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 29% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #77 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Athens’ residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Athens has less expected damage per building than 57% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Athens: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Athens flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Athens, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains11 claims · $234K
Athens is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: McMinn County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Athens
Disasters that paid out in Athens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Athens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding73 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$95K to the City of Athens for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$18K to the City of Athens for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding110 households applied for aid$250K aid approved$20K to the City of Athens for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
McMinn County has had 12 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 Athens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Athens archive →Get ready for what Athens 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Athens 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 Athens
Is Athens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #77 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Athens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Athens since 1984, $298K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (11).
Is Athens 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 McMinn 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 Athens?
Athens 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 Athens?
By FEMA money that reached Athens, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 110 households applied for aid, $250K approved, and $20K to the City of Athens for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 11 paid, $234K.
Is Athens at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Athens’ rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Athens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Athens’ 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.