Photo: ChristopherLStewart30 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Humboldt than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Humboldt gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #170 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 43 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 Humboldt 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 Humboldt’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Humboldt, and Humboldt’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #170 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Humboldt’s residents live in 4 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, Humboldt has more expected damage per building than 96% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across Humboldt: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Humboldt flood? Sometimes: 43 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Humboldt, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms16 claims · $443K
Humboldt isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gibson County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Humboldt
Disasters that paid out in Humboldt itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Humboldt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm10 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding5 households applied for aid$946 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding51 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes792 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$78K to the City of Humboldt for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$104 aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$100K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados4 households applied for aid$577 aid approved
Gibson County has had 21 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 Humboldt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Humboldt archive →Humboldt and its neighbors
Humboldt is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Way | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Humboldt | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 43 |
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 Humboldt 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 Humboldt
Is Humboldt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Humboldt has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #170 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Humboldt flood?
Flood insurance has paid 43 claims in Humboldt since 1979, $588K in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (16).
Is Humboldt 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 Gibson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Humboldt?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Humboldt’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 Humboldt?
By FEMA money that reached Humboldt, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 792 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $78K to the City of Humboldt for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 16 paid, $443K.
Is Humboldt at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Humboldt’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Humboldt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Humboldt’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.