Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dresden than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dresden gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #169 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1998.
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 Dresden 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 Dresden’s grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dresden, and Dresden’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #169 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dresden’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dresden has more expected damage per building than 95% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Dresden: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dresden flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dresden, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dresden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Weakley County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dresden
Disasters that paid out in Dresden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dresden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes230 households applied for aid$486K aid approved$5.2M to the Town of Dresden for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$47K to the Town of Dresden for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the Town of Dresden for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Weakley County has had 15 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 Dresden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dresden archive →Get ready for what Dresden 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 Dresden
Is Dresden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dresden has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #169 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dresden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Dresden since 1998, $15K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Dresden 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 Weakley County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dresden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dresden’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 Dresden?
By FEMA money that reached Dresden, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2021): 230 households applied for aid, $486K approved, and $5.2M to the Town of Dresden for repairs.
Is Dresden at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Dresden’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dresden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dresden’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.