Photo: Walker Kinsler · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Rogersville than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rogersville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #10 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 stands out about Rogersville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rogersville 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 Rogersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rogersville, and Rogersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Landslides add 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A #10 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rogersville’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, Rogersville has less expected damage per building than 95% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Rogersville: $807K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rogersville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rogersville, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rogersville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hawkins County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rogersville
Disasters that paid out in Rogersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rogersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene256 households applied for aid$310K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$5K to the Town of Rogersville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Town of Rogersville for repairs
Hawkins County has had 11 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hawkins County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Rogersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rogersville archive →Rogersville and its neighbors
Rogersville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogersville | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Surgoinsville | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Rogersville 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 Rogersville
Is Rogersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rogersville has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #10 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rogersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Rogersville since 1997, $25K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Rogersville 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 Hawkins County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rogersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rogersville’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 Rogersville?
By FEMA money that reached Rogersville, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 256 households applied for aid, $310K approved.
Is Rogersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Rogersville’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rogersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rogersville’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.