FEMA puts Red Bank’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bank gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #142 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 69 claims here since 1996.
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 Red Bank 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 Red Bank’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Bank, and Red Bank’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #142 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Bank’s residents live in 8 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, Red Bank has more expected damage per building than 80% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Red Bank: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Bank flood? Sometimes: 69 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Bank, from FEMA’s records: 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $3K
Red Bank isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Bank
Disasters that paid out in Red Bank itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Bank), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$170 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding12 households applied for aid$144K to the City of Red Bank for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$57K to the City of Red Bank for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$11K to the City of Red Bank for repairs
Hamilton 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hamilton County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Red Bank after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Bank archive →Get ready for what Red Bank 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 Red Bank
Is Red Bank at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bank has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #142 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Bank flood?
Flood insurance has paid 69 claims in Red Bank since 1996, $1.1M in all, or 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Red Bank 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 Hamilton County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Bank?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Bank’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 Red Bank?
By FEMA money that reached Red Bank, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 12 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $144K to the City of Red Bank for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Red Bank at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Red Bank’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Bank.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Bank’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.