Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Church Hill faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Church Hill gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #11 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). 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 stands out about Church Hill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Church Hill 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
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 Church Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Church Hill, and Church Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #11 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Church Hill’s residents live in 5 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, Church Hill has less expected damage per building than 94% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Church Hill: $905K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Church Hill flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Church Hill. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Church Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hawkins County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Church Hill
Disasters that paid out in Church Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Church Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene224 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$48K to the City of Church Hill for repairs
Hawkins County has had 11 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hawkins County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Church Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Church Hill archive →Church Hill and its neighbors
Church Hill has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church Hill | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Surgoinsville | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mount Carmel | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Church Hill 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.
- 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 Church Hill
Is Church Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Church Hill has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #11 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Church Hill 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 Hawkins County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Church Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Church Hill’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 Church Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Church Hill, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 224 households applied for aid, $105K approved, and $48K to the City of Church Hill for repairs.
Is Church Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Church Hill’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Church Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Church Hill’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.