On FEMA’s figures, Burns faces less hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burns gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Burns 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 Burns’ grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burns, and Burns’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burns’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $564K a year in losses across Burns: $351K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burns flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burns, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Tennessee Flooding1 claim · $19K
Burns isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dickson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burns
Disasters that paid out in Burns itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Burns), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding35 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes67 households applied for aid$123K aid approved$26K to the Town of Burns for repairs
Dickson County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Burns after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burns archive →Burns and its neighbors
Burns 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickson | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Burns | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Burns 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Burns
Is Burns at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burns has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burns flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Burns since 2021, $19K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tennessee Flooding (1).
Is Burns 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 Dickson County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burns?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burns’ 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 Burns?
By FEMA money that reached Burns, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 67 households applied for aid, $123K approved, and $26K to the Town of Burns for repairs. By flood claims, Tennessee Flooding: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Burns at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Burns’ rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burns.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burns’ 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.