Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Powell than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Powell gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #34 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1994.
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 Powell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Powell 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 Powell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Powell, and Powell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #34 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Powell’s residents live in 3 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, Powell has less expected damage per building than 81% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Powell: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Powell flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Powell, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Powell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Knox County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Powell
Disasters that paid out in Powell itself (aid to households or repair grants to Powell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding12 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$4K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
Knox 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 Powell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Powell archive →Powell and its neighbors
Powell is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 272 |
| Powell | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Powell 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 Powell
Is Powell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Powell has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #34 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Powell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Powell since 1994, $318K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Powell 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 Knox County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Powell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Powell’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 Powell?
By FEMA money that reached Powell, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 12 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Powell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Powell’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Powell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Powell’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.