On FEMA’s figures, Collegedale faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Collegedale gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #31 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2003.
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 Collegedale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Collegedale 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 Collegedale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Collegedale, and Collegedale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #31 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Collegedale’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, Collegedale has less expected damage per building than 83% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Collegedale: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Collegedale flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Collegedale, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $29K
Collegedale 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Collegedale
Disasters that paid out in Collegedale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Collegedale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$126K to the City of Collegedale for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$2K to the City of Collegedale for repairs1 flood claim 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 Collegedale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Collegedale archive →Collegedale and its neighbors
Collegedale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedale | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Apison | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Chattanooga | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 680 |
| Ooltewah | — | 578 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Collegedale 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 Collegedale
Is Collegedale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Collegedale has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #31 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Collegedale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Collegedale since 2003, $43K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Collegedale 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 Collegedale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Collegedale’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 Collegedale?
By FEMA money that reached Collegedale, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 4 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $126K to the City of Collegedale for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Collegedale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Collegedale’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Collegedale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Collegedale’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.