Photo: NathanReed · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Huntingdon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntingdon gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #146 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Huntingdon, and Huntingdon’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #146 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Huntingdon’s residents live in 2 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, Huntingdon has more expected damage per building than 82% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Huntingdon: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Huntingdon flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Huntingdon, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms9 claims · $388K
Huntingdon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Huntingdon
Disasters that paid out in Huntingdon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Huntingdon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm22 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$87K to the Town of Huntingdon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding21 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$804 to the Town of Huntingdon for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$52K to the Town of Huntingdon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes62 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$47K to the Town of Huntingdon for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados13 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
Carroll County has had 18 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 Huntingdon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Huntingdon archive →Get ready for what Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon
Is Huntingdon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Huntingdon has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #146 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Huntingdon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Huntingdon since 1978, $520K in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (9).
Is Huntingdon 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 Carroll County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Huntingdon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Huntingdon’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 Huntingdon?
By FEMA money that reached Huntingdon, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 62 households applied for aid, $66K approved, and $47K to the Town of Huntingdon for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 9 paid, $388K.
Is Huntingdon at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Huntingdon’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Huntingdon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Huntingdon’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.