Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Smyrna’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smyrna gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #115 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 61 claims here since 1979.
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 Smyrna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Smyrna 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 Smyrna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smyrna, and Smyrna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C #115 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smyrna’s residents live in 17 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, Smyrna has more expected damage per building than 65% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.3M a year in losses across Smyrna: $14.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smyrna flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smyrna, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms37 claims · $1.2M
Smyrna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rutherford County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smyrna
Disasters that paid out in Smyrna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Smyrna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm74 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$56K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes19 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes445 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$490K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$79K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados11 households applied for aid$330 aid approved
Rutherford County has had 13 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 Smyrna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smyrna archive →Smyrna and its neighbors
Smyrna is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Vergne | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Murfreesboro | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Smyrna | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Is Smyrna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smyrna has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #115 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smyrna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Smyrna since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (37).
Is Smyrna 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 Rutherford County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smyrna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smyrna’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 Smyrna?
By FEMA money that reached Smyrna, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 445 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $490K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 37 paid, $1.2M.
Is Smyrna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Smyrna’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smyrna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smyrna’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.