Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Kingsport than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingsport gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #15 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Kingsport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kingsport 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
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 Kingsport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingsport, and Kingsport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #15 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kingsport’s residents live in 24 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, Kingsport has less expected damage per building than 92% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.1M a year in losses across Kingsport: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingsport flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kingsport, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains3 claims · $5K
Kingsport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sullivan County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Kingsport
Disasters that paid out in Kingsport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kingsport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene22 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Sullivan County has had 8 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 Kingsport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingsport archive →Kingsport and its neighbors
Kingsport is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomingdale | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Kingsport | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Mount Carmel | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sullivan Gardens | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Colonial Heights | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Orebank | — | 816 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Kingsport 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.
- 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 Kingsport
Is Kingsport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingsport has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #15 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kingsport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Kingsport since 1980, $650K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (3).
Is Kingsport 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 Sullivan County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kingsport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingsport’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 Kingsport?
By FEMA money that reached Kingsport, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 22 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 3 paid, $5K.
Is Kingsport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Kingsport’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingsport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingsport’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.