Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Erwin’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erwin gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #14 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
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 Erwin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Erwin 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
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 Erwin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erwin, and Erwin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #14 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Erwin’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, Erwin has less expected damage per building than 93% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Erwin: $772K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erwin flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erwin, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Erwin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Unicoi County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erwin
Disasters that paid out in Erwin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Erwin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene1,102 households applied for aid$5.3M aid approved$3.9M to the Town of Erwin for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding2 households applied for aid$184 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Town of Erwin for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the Town of Erwin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Unicoi County has had 13 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 Erwin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erwin archive →Erwin and its neighbors
Erwin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Banner Hill | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Erwin 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.
- 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 Erwin
Is Erwin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erwin has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #14 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Erwin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Erwin since 1979, $55K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Erwin 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 Unicoi County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Erwin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erwin’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 Erwin?
By FEMA money that reached Erwin, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 1,102 households applied for aid, $5.3M approved, and $3.9M to the Town of Erwin for repairs.
Is Erwin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Erwin’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erwin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erwin’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.