Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fairview than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #12 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2010.
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 Fairview 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
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 Fairview’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairview, and Fairview’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #12 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairview’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, Fairview has less expected damage per building than 94% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Fairview: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairview flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairview, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Tennessee Flooding1 claim · $26K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $20K
Fairview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairview
Disasters that paid out in Fairview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm34 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$2.1M to the City of Fairview for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$9K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes183 households applied for aid$241K aid approved$66K to the City of Fairview for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$8K to the City of Fairview for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$98K to the City of Fairview for repairs
Williamson County has had 12 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 Fairview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairview archive →Get ready for what Fairview 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.
- 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 Fairview
Is Fairview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #12 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Fairview since 2010, $118K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tennessee Flooding (1).
Is Fairview 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 Williamson County, 86% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairview’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 Fairview?
By FEMA money that reached Fairview, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 34 households applied for aid, $47K approved, and $2.1M to the City of Fairview for repairs. By flood claims, Tennessee Flooding: 1 paid, $26K.
Is Fairview at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Fairview’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairview’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.