Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Centerville’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #97 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1991.
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 Centerville 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 Centerville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centerville, and Centerville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #97 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centerville’s residents live in 2 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, Centerville has more expected damage per building than 55% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Centerville: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Centerville flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centerville, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $114K
- The Tennessee Flooding2 claims · $22K
Centerville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hickman County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centerville
Disasters that paid out in Centerville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Centerville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm84 households applied for aid$107K aid approved$161K to the Town of Centerville for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding75 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$31K to the Town of Centerville for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$27K to the Town of Centerville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes622 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$573K to the Town of Centerville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding68 households applied for aid$167K aid approved$13K to the Town of Centerville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Hickman County has had 20 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 Centerville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centerville archive →Get ready for what Centerville 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 Centerville
Is Centerville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centerville has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #97 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centerville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Centerville since 1991, $153K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Centerville 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 Hickman County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Centerville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Centerville’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 Centerville?
By FEMA money that reached Centerville, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 622 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $573K to the Town of Centerville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $114K.
Is Centerville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Centerville’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centerville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centerville’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.