Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Germantown than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Germantown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #125 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 52 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 Germantown 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 Germantown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Germantown, and Germantown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #125 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Germantown’s residents live in 13 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, Germantown has more expected damage per building than 70% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.0M a year in losses across Germantown: $18.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Germantown flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Germantown, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $26K
Germantown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Germantown
Disasters that paid out in Germantown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Germantown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm55 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$5K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$209K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$186K to the City of Germantown for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$60K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$686K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$43K to the City of Germantown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$76K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$424 aid approved$18K to the City of Germantown for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$33K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$26K to the City of Germantown for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain110 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$482K to the City of Germantown for repairs
Shelby County has had 21 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 Germantown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Germantown archive →Germantown and its neighbors
Germantown has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Collierville | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Memphis | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 345 |
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 Germantown 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 Germantown
Is Germantown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Germantown has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #125 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Germantown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Germantown since 1978, $2.9M in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Germantown 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 Shelby County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Germantown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Germantown’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 Germantown?
By FEMA money that reached Germantown, Severe Winter Storm (2022): $686K to the City of Germantown for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $26K.
Is Germantown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Germantown’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Germantown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Germantown’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.