Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Camden than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #143 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (51%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Camden 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 Camden’s grade
Earthquakes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camden, and Camden’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #143 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Camden’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, Camden has more expected damage per building than 81% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Camden: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camden flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Camden, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms4 claims · $236K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $8K
Camden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camden
Disasters that paid out in Camden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Camden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm34 households applied for aid$120K aid approved$52K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado$29K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$25K to the City of Camden for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes131 households applied for aid$239K aid approved$21K to the City of Camden for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$814 aid approved
Benton County has had 17 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 Camden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camden archive →Get ready for what Camden 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 Camden
Is Camden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #143 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (51%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Camden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Camden since 1984, $456K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (4).
Is Camden 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 Benton County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camden’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 Camden?
By FEMA money that reached Camden, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 131 households applied for aid, $239K approved, and $21K to the City of Camden for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 4 paid, $236K.
Is Camden at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Camden’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camden’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.