FEMA puts La Vergne’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Vergne gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #56 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 52 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 stands out about La Vergne’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What La Vergne 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 La Vergne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Vergne, and La Vergne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
B #56 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Vergne’s residents live in 9 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, La Vergne has less expected damage per building than 69% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.5M a year in losses across La Vergne: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Vergne flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Vergne, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms20 claims · $787K
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $34K
La Vergne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rutherford County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Vergne
Disasters that paid out in La Vergne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Vergne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm96 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes272 households applied for aid$788K aid approved20 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$51K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
Rutherford County has had 13 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 La Vergne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Vergne archive →La Vergne and its neighbors
La Vergne has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 La Vergne 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 La Vergne
Is La Vergne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Vergne has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #56 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Vergne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in La Vergne since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (20).
Is La Vergne 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 Rutherford County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Vergne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Vergne’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 La Vergne?
By FEMA money that reached La Vergne, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 272 households applied for aid, $788K approved. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 20 paid, $787K.
Is La Vergne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and La Vergne’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Vergne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Vergne’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.