Photo: Carl Wycoff from Nevada, USA · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Covington faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #140 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Covington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Covington’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Covington, and Covington’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #140 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Covington’s residents live in 3 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, Covington has more expected damage per building than 79% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Covington: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Covington flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Covington, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms3 claims · $179K
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $1K
Covington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tipton County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Covington
Disasters that paid out in Covington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Covington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$104K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$564K to the City of Covington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes562 households applied for aid$919K aid approved$671K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado$4K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$76K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$73K to the City of Covington for repairs
Show all 13
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$40K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$10K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes519 households applied for aid$579K aid approved$148K to the City of Covington for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$24K to the City of Covington for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$710 aid approved$7K to the City of Covington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados105 households applied for aid$342K aid approved$41K to the City of Covington for repairs
Tipton 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.
Old photos of Covington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Covington archive →Get ready for what Covington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Covington
Is Covington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #140 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Covington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Covington since 1991, $394K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (3).
Is Covington 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 Tipton County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Covington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Covington’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 Covington?
By FEMA money that reached Covington, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 562 households applied for aid, $919K approved, and $671K to the City of Covington for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 3 paid, $179K.
Is Covington at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Covington’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Covington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Covington’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.