Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com) · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Oakland than in 78% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #149 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (45%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Oakland 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 Oakland’s grade
Earthquakes are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakland, and Oakland’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #149 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakland’s residents live in 4 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, Oakland has more expected damage per building than 84% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Oakland: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oakland flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakland, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $69K
Oakland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fayette County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oakland
Disasters that paid out in Oakland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oakland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm237 households applied for aid$336K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes105 households applied for aid$80K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain9 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Fayette County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Oakland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakland archive →Get ready for what Oakland 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 Oakland
Is Oakland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #149 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (45%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Oakland since 2010, $146K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Oakland 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 Fayette County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oakland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oakland’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 Oakland?
By FEMA money that reached Oakland, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 237 households applied for aid, $336K approved. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $69K.
Is Oakland at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Oakland’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakland’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.