Red Boiling Springs Bank · Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Red Boiling Springs as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Boiling Springs gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2002.
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 Boiling Springs 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 Boiling Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Boiling Springs, and Red Boiling Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Red Boiling Springs’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $440K a year in losses across Red Boiling Springs: $233K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Boiling Springs flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Boiling Springs, from FEMA’s records: 16.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms6 claims · $150K
Red Boiling Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Macon County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Boiling Springs
Disasters that paid out in Red Boiling Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Boiling Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm38 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes64 households applied for aid$139K aid approved$79K to the City of Red Boiling Springs for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$730 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$436 aid approved
Macon 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.
Old photos of Red Boiling Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Boiling Springs archive →Get ready for what Red Boiling Springs 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 Boiling Springs
Is Red Boiling Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Boiling Springs has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (11%). 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 Red Boiling Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Red Boiling Springs since 2002, $157K in all, or 16.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (6).
Is Red Boiling Springs 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 Macon County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Boiling Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Boiling Springs’ 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 Boiling Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Red Boiling Springs, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 64 households applied for aid, $139K approved, and $79K to the City of Red Boiling Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 6 paid, $150K.
Is Red Boiling Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Red Boiling Springs’ rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Boiling Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Boiling Springs’ 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.