Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Henderson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #129 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (55%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
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 Henderson faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Henderson’s grade
Earthquakes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Henderson, and Henderson’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #129 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Henderson’s residents live in 3 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, Henderson has more expected damage per building than 73% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Henderson: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Henderson flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Henderson, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Henderson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chester County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Henderson
Disasters that paid out in Henderson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Henderson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm167 households applied for aid$322K aid approved$97K to the City of Henderson for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$185K to the City of Henderson for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes41 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$86K to the City of Henderson for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Henderson for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Chester County has had 11 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 Henderson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Henderson archive →Get ready for what Henderson faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Henderson
Is Henderson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #129 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (55%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Henderson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Henderson since 1997, $28K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Henderson 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 Chester County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Henderson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Henderson’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 Henderson?
By FEMA money that reached Henderson, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 167 households applied for aid, $322K approved, and $97K to the City of Henderson for repairs.
Is Henderson at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Henderson’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Henderson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Henderson’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.