Photo: GamblinMonkey · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Dyersburg faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dyersburg gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (76%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 116 claims here since 1978.
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 Dyersburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dyersburg 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 Dyersburg’s grade
Earthquakes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dyersburg, and Dyersburg’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #176 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dyersburg’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, Dyersburg has more expected damage per building than 99% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.0M a year in losses across Dyersburg: $13.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dyersburg flood? Yes: 116 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dyersburg, from FEMA’s records: 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms64 claims · $1.7M
- The Central U.S. April Flooding11 claims · $976K
- The Mid-spring storms10 claims · $146K
Dyersburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dyer County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dyersburg
Disasters that paid out in Dyersburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dyersburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm71 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$4K to the City of Dyersburg for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding76 households applied for aid$363K aid approved$572K to the City of Dyersburg for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding73 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$132K to the City of Dyersburg for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes526 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$199K to the City of Dyersburg for repairs64 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$50K to the City of Dyersburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes111 households applied for aid$174K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding285 households applied for aid$816K aid approved$77K to the City of Dyersburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Dyer County has had 18 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 Dyersburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dyersburg archive →Get ready for what Dyersburg 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 Dyersburg
Is Dyersburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dyersburg has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (76%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dyersburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 116 claims in Dyersburg since 1978, $3.1M in all, or 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (64).
Is Dyersburg 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 Dyer County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dyersburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dyersburg’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 Dyersburg?
By FEMA money that reached Dyersburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 526 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $199K to the City of Dyersburg for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 64 paid, $1.7M.
Is Dyersburg at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Dyersburg’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dyersburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dyersburg’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.