Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Seymour than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seymour gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #40 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (25%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Seymour 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 Seymour’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seymour, and Seymour’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #40 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seymour’s residents live in 4 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, Seymour has less expected damage per building than 78% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Seymour: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seymour flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Seymour. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Seymour 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seymour
Disasters that paid out in Seymour itself (aid to households or repair grants to Seymour), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
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 Seymour after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seymour archive →Get ready for what Seymour 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 Seymour
Is Seymour at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seymour has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #40 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Seymour 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 Seymour?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seymour’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 Seymour?
By FEMA money that reached Seymour, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Seymour at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Seymour’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seymour.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seymour’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.