Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Knoxville than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knoxville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #24 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 272 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 stands out about Knoxville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Knoxville 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 Knoxville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Knoxville, and Knoxville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 28% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #24 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Knoxville’s residents live in 81 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, Knoxville has less expected damage per building than 87% of Tennessee towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Knoxville has lower expected damage per building than 84% (#63 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $48.9M, is the 249th largest of those 400.
Does Knoxville flood? Yes: 272 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Knoxville, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $31K
Knoxville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Knox County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Knoxville
Disasters that paid out in Knoxville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Knoxville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado$724K to the City of Knoxville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$548K to the City of Knoxville for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$76K to the City of Knoxville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and$209K to the City of Knoxville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding2,273 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$562K to the City of Knoxville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$74K to the City of Knoxville for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding133 households applied for aid$68K aid approved20 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$81K to the City of Knoxville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Knox County has had 15 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 Knoxville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Knoxville archive →Knoxville and its neighbors
Knoxville is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Sevier | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Knoxville | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 272 |
| Powell | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Alcoa | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Halls | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Farragut | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Rockford | — | 824 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 Knoxville 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.
- Knoxville residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Knoxville
Is Knoxville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knoxville has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #24 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Knoxville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 272 claims in Knoxville since 1978, $4.8M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Knoxville 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 Knox County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Knoxville?
Knoxville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Knoxville?
By FEMA money that reached Knoxville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 2,273 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $562K to the City of Knoxville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $31K.
Is Knoxville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Knoxville’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Knoxville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Knoxville’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.