Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Fayetteville’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fayetteville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #61 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 Fayetteville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fayetteville, and Fayetteville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #61 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fayetteville’s residents live in 2 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, Fayetteville has less expected damage per building than 66% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Fayetteville: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fayetteville flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fayetteville, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $10K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $14K
Fayetteville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fayetteville
Disasters that paid out in Fayetteville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fayetteville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Fayetteville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$29K to the City of Fayetteville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding40 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$60K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1998Severe Winter Storm$30K to the City of Fayetteville for repairs
Lincoln County has had 12 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 Fayetteville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fayetteville archive →Get ready for what Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Is Fayetteville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fayetteville has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #61 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fayetteville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Fayetteville since 1978, $415K in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Fayetteville 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 Lincoln County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fayetteville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fayetteville’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 Fayetteville?
By FEMA money that reached Fayetteville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 17 households applied for aid, $60K approved. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Fayetteville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Fayetteville’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fayetteville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fayetteville’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.