Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Maynardville faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maynardville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #33 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Maynardville 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 Maynardville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maynardville, and Maynardville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #33 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maynardville’s residents live in 2 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, Maynardville has less expected damage per building than 82% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $557K a year in losses across Maynardville: $380K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maynardville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Maynardville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Maynardville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maynardville
Disasters that paid out in Maynardville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Maynardville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$3K to the City of Maynardville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Maynardville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$168K to the City of Maynardville for repairs
Union County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Maynardville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maynardville archive →Get ready for what Maynardville 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 Maynardville
Is Maynardville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maynardville has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #33 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Maynardville 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 Union County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maynardville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maynardville’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 Maynardville?
By FEMA money that reached Maynardville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2003): $168K to the City of Maynardville for repairs.
Is Maynardville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Maynardville’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maynardville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maynardville’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.