Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Chattanooga faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chattanooga gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #120 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 680 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Chattanooga’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chattanooga, and Chattanooga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #120 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chattanooga’s residents live in 58 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, Chattanooga has more expected damage per building than 68% of Tennessee towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Chattanooga has higher expected damage per building than 60% (#240 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $84.6M, is the 142th largest of those 400.
Does Chattanooga flood? Yes: 680 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chattanooga, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains143 claims · $6.4M
- The Early winter storms6 claims · $147K
- Hurricane Zeta2 claims · $13K
Chattanooga isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chattanooga
Disasters that paid out in Chattanooga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chattanooga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding834 households applied for aid$700K aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and170 households applied for aid$90K aid approved20 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding1,835 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding969 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved149 flood claims paid that year
Hamilton County has had 19 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hamilton County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Chattanooga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chattanooga archive →Chattanooga and its neighbors
Chattanooga is 7th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Collegedale | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Signal Mountain | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lookout Mountain | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Ridge | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 483 |
| Middle Valley | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Chattanooga | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 680 |
| Rossville | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Soddy-Daisy | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Falling Water | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Is Chattanooga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chattanooga has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #120 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chattanooga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 680 claims in Chattanooga since 1978, $15.8M in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 101 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (143).
Is Chattanooga 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 Hamilton County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chattanooga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chattanooga’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 Chattanooga?
By FEMA money that reached Chattanooga, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 969 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 143 paid, $6.4M.
Is Chattanooga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Chattanooga’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chattanooga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chattanooga’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.