Photo: NealVickers · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Pigeon Forge as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pigeon Forge gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #84 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 196 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 Pigeon Forge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pigeon Forge 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
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 Pigeon Forge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pigeon Forge, and Pigeon Forge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #84 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pigeon Forge’s 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, Pigeon Forge has less expected damage per building than 53% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Pigeon Forge: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pigeon Forge flood? Yes: 196 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pigeon Forge, from FEMA’s records: 39.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains31 claims · $337K
Pigeon Forge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sevier County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pigeon Forge
Disasters that paid out in Pigeon Forge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pigeon Forge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene$26K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$10K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$72K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$19K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs
- 2016Wildfires42 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$222K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$89K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$33K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$9K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved31 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs27 flood claims paid that year
Sevier County has had 16 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sevier County, 2000–2016.
Old photos of Pigeon Forge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pigeon Forge archive →Pigeon Forge and its neighbors
Pigeon Forge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Forge | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Sevierville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Pigeon Forge 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.
- 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 Pigeon Forge
Is Pigeon Forge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pigeon Forge has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #84 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pigeon Forge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 196 claims in Pigeon Forge since 1979, $2.3M in all, or 39.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (31).
Is Pigeon Forge 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 Sevier County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pigeon Forge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pigeon Forge’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 Pigeon Forge?
By FEMA money that reached Pigeon Forge, Wildfires (2016): 42 households applied for aid, $66K approved, and $222K to the City of Pigeon Forge for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 31 paid, $337K.
Is Pigeon Forge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Pigeon Forge’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pigeon Forge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pigeon Forge’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.