Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bells than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bells gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (25%). 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 Bells 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 Bells’ grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bells, and Bells’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bells’ 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 Bells: $829K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bells flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bells. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bells isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crockett County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bells
Disasters that paid out in Bells itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bells), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding21 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes62 households applied for aid$180K aid approved$3K to the City of Bells for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados33 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$10K to the City of Bells for repairs
Crockett County has had 13 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 Bells after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bells archive →Get ready for what Bells 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 Bells
Is Bells at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bells has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bells 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 Crockett County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bells?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bells’ 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 Bells?
By FEMA money that reached Bells, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 62 households applied for aid, $180K approved, and $3K to the City of Bells for repairs.
Is Bells at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Bells’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bells.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bells’ 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.