Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Munford faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Munford gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #112 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (48%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 2010.
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 Munford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Munford 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 Munford’s grade
Earthquakes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Munford, and Munford’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #112 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Munford’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, Munford has more expected damage per building than 63% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Munford: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Munford flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Munford, from FEMA’s records: 19.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms11 claims · $688K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $25K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $41K
Munford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tipton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Munford
Disasters that paid out in Munford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Munford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes19 households applied for aid$76K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$33K to the City of Munford for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$12K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes80 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$74K to the City of Munford for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$3K to the City of Munford for repairs
Tipton County has had 19 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 Munford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Munford archive →Munford and its neighbors
Munford is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atoka | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Munford | C+more damage than 61% | earthquakes | 50 |
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 Munford 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 Munford
Is Munford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Munford has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #112 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (48%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Munford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Munford since 2010, $1.9M in all, or 19.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (11).
Is Munford 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 Tipton County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Munford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Munford’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 Munford?
By FEMA money that reached Munford, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 80 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $74K to the City of Munford for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 11 paid, $688K.
Is Munford at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Munford’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Munford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Munford’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.