Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Morristown faces less hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morristown gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #5 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1980.
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 Morristown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Morristown 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 Morristown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morristown, and Morristown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 21% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #5 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morristown’s residents live in 12 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, Morristown has less expected damage per building than 98% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Morristown: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morristown flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morristown, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms3 claims · $867K
Morristown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamblen County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morristown
Disasters that paid out in Morristown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morristown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene348 households applied for aid$269K aid approved$338K to the City of Morristown for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$72K to the City of Morristown for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$57K to the City of Morristown for repairs
Hamblen County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Morristown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morristown archive →Morristown and its neighbors
Morristown has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morristown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Jefferson City | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Russellville | — | 684 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Morristown 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 Morristown
Is Morristown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morristown has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #5 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morristown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Morristown since 1980, $1.0M in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (3).
Is Morristown 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 Hamblen County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morristown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morristown’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 Morristown?
By FEMA money that reached Morristown, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 348 households applied for aid, $269K approved, and $338K to the City of Morristown for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 3 paid, $867K.
Is Morristown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Morristown’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morristown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morristown’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.