Settlement School Dormitories and Dwellings Historic District · Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Gatlinburg faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gatlinburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #20 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 Gatlinburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gatlinburg, and Gatlinburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #20 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gatlinburg’s residents live in 4 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, Gatlinburg has less expected damage per building than 89% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Gatlinburg: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gatlinburg flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gatlinburg, from FEMA’s records: 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $10K
Gatlinburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sevier County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gatlinburg
Disasters that paid out in Gatlinburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gatlinburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene$226K to the City of Gatlinburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$974K to the City of Gatlinburg for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$42K to the City of Gatlinburg for repairs
- 2016Wildfires1,155 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Gatlinburg for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$8K to the City of Gatlinburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$220 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1998Severe Winter Storm$33K to the City of Gatlinburg for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Sevier County has had 16 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sevier County, 2000–2016.
Old photos of Gatlinburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gatlinburg archive →Gatlinburg and its neighbors
Gatlinburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Pittman Center | — | 583 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Gatlinburg 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.
- Gatlinburg residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gatlinburg
Is Gatlinburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gatlinburg has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #20 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gatlinburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Gatlinburg since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (2).
Is Gatlinburg 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 Sevier County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Gatlinburg?
By FEMA money that reached Gatlinburg, Wildfires (2016): 1,155 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Gatlinburg for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Gatlinburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Gatlinburg’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gatlinburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gatlinburg’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.