Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Oliver Springs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oliver Springs gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #113 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1998.
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 Oliver Springs 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 Oliver Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oliver Springs, and Oliver Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #113 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oliver Springs’ residents live in 5 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, Oliver Springs has more expected damage per building than 64% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Oliver Springs: $720K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oliver Springs flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oliver Springs, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oliver Springs 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oliver Springs
Disasters that paid out in Oliver Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oliver Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$24K to the Town of Oliver Springs for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Oliver Springs for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$745 aid approved$8K to the Town of Oliver Springs for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Oliver Springs for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados69 households applied for aid$129K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$59K to the Town of Oliver Springs for repairs
Anderson County has had 17 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 Anderson County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Oliver Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oliver Springs archive →Oliver Springs and its neighbors
Oliver Springs 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver Springs | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Coalfield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Oliver Springs 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 Oliver Springs
Is Oliver Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oliver Springs has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #113 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oliver Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Oliver Springs since 1998, $73K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oliver Springs 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 Oliver Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oliver Springs’ 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 Oliver Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Oliver Springs, Severe Storms and Tornados (2002): 69 households applied for aid, $129K approved.
Is Oliver Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Oliver Springs’ rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oliver Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oliver Springs’ 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.