Photo: Brent Moore · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Sevierville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sevierville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #118 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Sevierville 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 Sevierville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sevierville, and Sevierville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C #118 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sevierville’s residents live in 10 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, Sevierville has more expected damage per building than 66% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Sevierville: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sevierville flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sevierville, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $29K
Sevierville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sevier County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sevierville
Disasters that paid out in Sevierville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sevierville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene1 households applied for aid$770 aid approved$55K to the City of Sevierville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$455K to the City of Sevierville for repairs
- 2016Wildfires152 households applied for aid$226K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$41K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the City of Sevierville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Sevier 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sevier County, 2000–2016.
Old photos of Sevierville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sevierville archive →Sevierville and its neighbors
Sevierville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigeon Forge | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Sevierville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Sevierville 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 Sevierville
Is Sevierville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sevierville has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #118 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sevierville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Sevierville since 1994, $118K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (2).
Is Sevierville 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 Sevier County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sevierville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sevierville’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 Sevierville?
By FEMA money that reached Sevierville, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $455K to the City of Sevierville for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 2 paid, $29K.
Is Sevierville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Sevierville’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sevierville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sevierville’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.