Photo: RageBanken · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Milan than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milan gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #162 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (61%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Milan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Milan faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Milan’s grade
Earthquakes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milan, and Milan’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #162 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milan’s residents live in 3 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, Milan has more expected damage per building than 91% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Milan: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milan flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milan, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms7 claims · $392K
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $382
Milan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gibson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milan
Disasters that paid out in Milan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Milan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$55K to the City of Milan for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding104 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$165K to the City of Milan for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes122 households applied for aid$209K aid approved$60K to the City of Milan for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$14K to the City of Milan for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Gibson County has had 21 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 Milan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milan archive →Get ready for what Milan faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Milan
Is Milan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milan has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #162 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (61%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Milan since 1979, $774K in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (7).
Is Milan 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 Gibson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milan’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 Milan?
By FEMA money that reached Milan, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 122 households applied for aid, $209K approved, and $60K to the City of Milan for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 7 paid, $392K.
Is Milan at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Milan’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milan’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.