Dubuisson-Neuhoff House · Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Forest Hills as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Hills gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #96 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Hills, and Forest Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #96 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Hills’ 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, Forest Hills has more expected damage per building than 54% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Forest Hills: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Hills flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest Hills, from FEMA’s records: 18.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms10 claims · $285K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $146K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
Forest Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Davidson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest Hills
Disasters that paid out in Forest Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forest Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$2.8M to the City of Forest Hills for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$344K to the City of Forest Hills for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$14K to the City of Forest Hills for repairs
Davidson County has had 22 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 Forest Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest Hills archive →Forest Hills and its neighbors
Forest Hills is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Hill | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Forest Hills | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Belle Meade | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills
Is Forest Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Hills has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #96 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Forest Hills since 2010, $1.6M in all, or 18.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (10).
Is Forest Hills 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 Davidson County, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest Hills’ 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 Forest Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Forest Hills, Severe Winter Storm (2026): $2.8M to the City of Forest Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 10 paid, $285K.
Is Forest Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Forest Hills’ rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Hills’ 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.