Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA puts Paris’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #156 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1979.
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 Paris’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Paris 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 Paris’ grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paris, and Paris’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #156 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paris’ residents live in 6 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, Paris has more expected damage per building than 88% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.2M a year in losses across Paris: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paris flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paris, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Paris isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henry County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paris
Disasters that paid out in Paris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Paris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado$34K to the City of Paris for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes13 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$10K to the City of Paris for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding40 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$86K to the City of Paris for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$74K to the City of Paris for repairs
Henry County has had 15 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 Paris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paris archive →Get ready for what Paris 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 Paris
Is Paris at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paris has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #156 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Paris since 1979, $281K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Paris 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 Henry County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paris’ 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 Paris?
By FEMA money that reached Paris, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 60 households applied for aid, $45K approved, and $74K to the City of Paris for repairs.
Is Paris at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Paris’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paris’ 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.