Miller House · Photo: Dakotanikon · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Piperton than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piperton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #133 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (44%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1997.
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 Piperton 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 Piperton’s grade
Earthquakes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Piperton, and Piperton’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #133 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Piperton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Piperton has more expected damage per building than 75% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Piperton: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Piperton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Piperton, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $24K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $12K
Piperton 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Piperton
Disasters that paid out in Piperton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Piperton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$48K to the City of Piperton for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$8K to the City of Piperton for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$4K to the City of Piperton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$2K to the City of Piperton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$7K to the City of Piperton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain1 households applied for aid$12K to the City of Piperton for repairs
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 Piperton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Piperton archive →Piperton and its neighbors
Piperton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collierville | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Rossville | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 7 |
| Piperton | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 5 |
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 Piperton 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 Piperton
Is Piperton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Piperton has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #133 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (44%) and river and rain flooding (41%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Piperton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Piperton since 1997, $45K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Piperton 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 Piperton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Piperton’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 Piperton?
By FEMA money that reached Piperton, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2023): $48K to the City of Piperton for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $24K.
Is Piperton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Piperton’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Piperton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Piperton’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.