Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Greeneville faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greeneville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #2 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Greeneville 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
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 Greeneville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greeneville, and Greeneville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 27% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #2 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greeneville’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, Greeneville has less expected damage per building than 99% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Greeneville: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greeneville flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greeneville, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Greeneville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greeneville
Disasters that paid out in Greeneville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Greeneville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene1,649 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$57K to the Town of Greeneville for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$24K to the Town of Greeneville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding349 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$829K to the Town of Greeneville for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Greeneville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Greene County has had 13 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 Greeneville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greeneville archive →Greeneville and its neighbors
Greeneville is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Greeneville 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.
- 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 Greeneville
Is Greeneville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greeneville has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greeneville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Greeneville since 1979, $68K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Greeneville 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 Greene County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greeneville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greeneville’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 Greeneville?
By FEMA money that reached Greeneville, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 1,649 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $57K to the Town of Greeneville for repairs.
Is Greeneville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Greeneville’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greeneville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greeneville’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.