Photo: Colin1769 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Belle Meade than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle Meade gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #135 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 2004.
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 Belle Meade 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
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 Belle Meade’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belle Meade, and Belle Meade’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C #135 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belle Meade’s residents live in 3 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, Belle Meade has more expected damage per building than 76% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Belle Meade: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belle Meade flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belle Meade, from FEMA’s records: 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms9 claims · $995K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding4 claims · $293K
Belle Meade isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Davidson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belle Meade
Disasters that paid out in Belle Meade itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Belle Meade), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$842K to the City of Belle Meade for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$8K to the City of Belle Meade for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$309K to the City of Belle Meade for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$10K to the City of Belle Meade for repairs
Davidson County has had 22 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 Belle Meade after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belle Meade archive →Belle Meade and its neighbors
Belle Meade 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hills | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Belle Meade | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Belle Meade 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.
- 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 Belle Meade
Is Belle Meade at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle Meade has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #135 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belle Meade flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Belle Meade since 2004, $1.5M in all, or 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (9).
Is Belle Meade 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 Davidson County, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belle Meade?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belle Meade’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 Belle Meade?
By FEMA money that reached Belle Meade, Severe Winter Storm (2026): $842K to the City of Belle Meade for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 9 paid, $995K.
Is Belle Meade at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Belle Meade’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belle Meade.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belle Meade’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.