Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lewisburg than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisburg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #117 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1989.
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 Lewisburg 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
Tornadoes
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 Lewisburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewisburg, and Lewisburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #117 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lewisburg’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, Lewisburg has more expected damage per building than 66% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Lewisburg: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewisburg flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewisburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $47K
Lewisburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewisburg
Disasters that paid out in Lewisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lewisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$14K to the City of Lewisburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$41K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados61 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Marshall 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 Lewisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewisburg archive →Get ready for what Lewisburg 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lewisburg
Is Lewisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisburg has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #117 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewisburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Lewisburg since 1989, $159K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Lewisburg 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 Marshall County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lewisburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lewisburg’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 Lewisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Lewisburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 22 households applied for aid, $41K approved. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $47K.
Is Lewisburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Lewisburg’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewisburg’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.