Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hohenwald faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hohenwald gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #93 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2002.
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 Hohenwald 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 Hohenwald’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hohenwald, and Hohenwald’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #93 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hohenwald’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hohenwald has more expected damage per building than 52% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Hohenwald: $711K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hohenwald flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hohenwald, 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.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $6K
Hohenwald isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hohenwald
Disasters that paid out in Hohenwald itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hohenwald), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm137 households applied for aid$160K aid approved$146K to the City of Hohenwald for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes39 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes172 households applied for aid$353K aid approved$44K to the City of Hohenwald for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Lewis County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Hohenwald after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hohenwald archive →Get ready for what Hohenwald 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 Hohenwald
Is Hohenwald at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hohenwald has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #93 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (24%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hohenwald flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hohenwald since 2002, $59K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Hohenwald 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 Lewis County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hohenwald?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hohenwald’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 Hohenwald?
By FEMA money that reached Hohenwald, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 172 households applied for aid, $353K approved, and $44K to the City of Hohenwald for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Hohenwald at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Hohenwald’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hohenwald.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hohenwald’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.