Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Estill Springs faces more hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estill Springs gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #116 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (11%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Estill Springs 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
Tornadoes
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 Estill Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Estill Springs, and Estill Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #116 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Estill Springs’ 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, Estill Springs has more expected damage per building than 65% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $932K a year in losses across Estill Springs: $528K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Estill Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Estill Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Estill Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Estill Springs
Disasters that paid out in Estill Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Estill Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1998Severe Winter Storm$7K to the Town of Estill Springs for repairs
Franklin County has had 11 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 Estill Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Estill Springs archive →Estill Springs and its neighbors
Estill Springs is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decherd | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Estill Springs | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Estill Springs 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.
- 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.
- 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 Estill Springs
Is Estill Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estill Springs has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #116 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (11%). 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.
Is Estill Springs 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 Franklin County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Estill Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Estill Springs’ 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 Estill Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Estill Springs, Severe Winter Storm (1998): $7K to the Town of Estill Springs for repairs.
Is Estill Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Estill Springs’ rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Estill Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Estill Springs’ 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.