Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Oak Ridge faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Ridge gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #92 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2017.
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 Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oak Ridge, and Oak Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #92 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oak Ridge’s residents live in 11 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, Oak Ridge has more expected damage per building than 52% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.8M a year in losses across Oak Ridge: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oak Ridge flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oak Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oak Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anderson County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oak Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Oak Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oak Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$14K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$98K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$147K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and$27K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$353 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$100K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
Show all 10
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$10K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$59K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
- 1998Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Oak Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oak Ridge archive →Get ready for what Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
Is Oak Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #92 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oak Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Oak Ridge since 2017, $34K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oak Ridge 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 Anderson County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oak Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oak Ridge’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 Oak Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Oak Ridge, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2014): $147K to the City of Oak Ridge for repairs.
Is Oak Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Oak Ridge’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oak Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oak Ridge’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.