Photo: DwayneP. The original uploader was DwayneP at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Lenoir City as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lenoir City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #60 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1998.
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 Lenoir 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 Lenoir City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lenoir City, and Lenoir City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 29% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #60 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lenoir City’s residents live in 6 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, Lenoir City has less expected damage per building than 66% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Lenoir City: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lenoir City flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lenoir City, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lenoir 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: Loudon County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lenoir City
Disasters that paid out in Lenoir City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lenoir City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Loudon County has had 16 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 Lenoir City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lenoir City archive →Get ready for what Lenoir 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 Lenoir City
Is Lenoir City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lenoir City has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #60 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lenoir City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Lenoir City since 1998, $102K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lenoir 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 Loudon County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lenoir City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lenoir 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 Lenoir City?
By FEMA money that reached Lenoir City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 9 households applied for aid, $14K approved.
Is Lenoir City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Lenoir City’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lenoir City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lenoir 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.