Jenkins Lutheran Chapel and Cemetery · Photo: Wpcooper52 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Shelbyville faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelbyville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #133 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1999.
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 Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelbyville, and Shelbyville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C #133 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shelbyville’s residents live in 5 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, Shelbyville has more expected damage per building than 75% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.5M a year in losses across Shelbyville: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelbyville flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelbyville, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains6 claims · $86K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $1K
Shelbyville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bedford County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelbyville
Disasters that paid out in Shelbyville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shelbyville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$5K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$75K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$31K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados11 households applied for aid$403 aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
- 1998Severe Winter Storm$27K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
Bedford County has had 14 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.
Old photos of Shelbyville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelbyville archive →Get ready for what Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville
Is Shelbyville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelbyville has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #133 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shelbyville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Shelbyville since 1999, $221K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (6).
Is Shelbyville 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 Bedford County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shelbyville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelbyville’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 Shelbyville?
By FEMA money that reached Shelbyville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 36 households applied for aid, $54K approved, and $31K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 6 paid, $86K.
Is Shelbyville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Shelbyville’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelbyville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelbyville’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.