Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Goodlettsville than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goodlettsville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #148 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 68 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 Goodlettsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Goodlettsville 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 Goodlettsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goodlettsville, and Goodlettsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #148 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goodlettsville’s residents live in 6 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, Goodlettsville has more expected damage per building than 84% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Goodlettsville: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goodlettsville flood? Sometimes: 68 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Goodlettsville, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms32 claims · $963K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $27K
Goodlettsville 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Goodlettsville
Disasters that paid out in Goodlettsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Goodlettsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm432 households applied for aid$346K aid approved$2.8M to the City of Goodlettsville for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$264K to the City of Goodlettsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes19 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$151 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$52K to the City of Goodlettsville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes741 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$312K to the City of Goodlettsville for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes94 households applied for aid$120K aid approved$327K to the City of Goodlettsville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
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 Goodlettsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goodlettsville archive →Goodlettsville and its neighbors
Goodlettsville is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Goodlettsville | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Hendersonville | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 213 |
| Millersville | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 Goodlettsville 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 Goodlettsville
Is Goodlettsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goodlettsville has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #148 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Goodlettsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 68 claims in Goodlettsville since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (32).
Is Goodlettsville 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 Goodlettsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goodlettsville’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 Goodlettsville?
By FEMA money that reached Goodlettsville, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 432 households applied for aid, $346K approved, and $2.8M to the City of Goodlettsville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 32 paid, $963K.
Is Goodlettsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Goodlettsville’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goodlettsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goodlettsville’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.