Photo: Chase Via · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Collierville than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Collierville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #127 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1986.
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 Collierville 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 Collierville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Collierville, and Collierville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #127 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Collierville’s residents live in 14 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, Collierville has more expected damage per building than 72% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $32.6M a year in losses across Collierville: $20.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Collierville flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Collierville, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $4K
Collierville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Collierville
Disasters that paid out in Collierville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Collierville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm219 households applied for aid$215K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$123K to the Town of Collierville for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$29K to the Town of Collierville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes51 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$6K to the Town of Collierville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$92K to the Town of Collierville for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain124 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$382K to the Town of Collierville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Shelby County has had 21 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 Collierville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Collierville archive →Collierville and its neighbors
Collierville is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olive Branch | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Germantown | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Collierville | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Piperton | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 5 |
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 Collierville 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 Collierville
Is Collierville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Collierville has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #127 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Collierville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Collierville since 1986, $766K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Collierville 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 Shelby County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Collierville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Collierville’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 Collierville?
By FEMA money that reached Collierville, Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain (2003): 124 households applied for aid, $50K approved, and $382K to the Town of Collierville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Collierville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Collierville’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Collierville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Collierville’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.