Photo: GatewayPolitics · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Pegram’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pegram gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 2000.
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 Pegram’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pegram 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Pegram’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pegram, and Pegram’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pegram’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Pegram: $831K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pegram flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pegram, from FEMA’s records: 40.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms33 claims · $1.8M
Pegram isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cheatham County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pegram
Disasters that paid out in Pegram itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pegram), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm48 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$25K to the Town of Pegram for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$190 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes239 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$121K to the Town of Pegram for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$6K to the Town of Pegram for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Cheatham 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 Pegram after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pegram archive →Pegram and its neighbors
Pegram is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kingston Springs | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pegram | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
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 Pegram 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Pegram
Is Pegram at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pegram has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pegram flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Pegram since 2000, $1.9M in all, or 40.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (33).
Is Pegram 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 Cheatham County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pegram?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pegram’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 Pegram?
By FEMA money that reached Pegram, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 239 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $121K to the Town of Pegram for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 33 paid, $1.8M.
Is Pegram at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Pegram’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pegram.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pegram’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.