Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Jefferson City’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson City gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #9 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1984.
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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jefferson City, and Jefferson City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 27% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #9 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jefferson City’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, Jefferson City has less expected damage per building than 95% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Jefferson City: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jefferson City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jefferson City, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jefferson City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Jefferson City
Disasters that paid out in Jefferson City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jefferson City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$592 aid approved
Jefferson County has had 17 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 Jefferson City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jefferson City archive →Jefferson City and its neighbors
Jefferson City is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morristown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Jefferson City | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Dandridge | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| New Market | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
Is Jefferson City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson City has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #9 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jefferson City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Jefferson City since 1984, $50K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jefferson City 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 Jefferson County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jefferson City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jefferson City’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 Jefferson City?
By FEMA money that reached Jefferson City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 1 households applied for aid, $592 approved.
Is Jefferson City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Jefferson City’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jefferson City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jefferson City’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.