Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Somerville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #157 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (34%). 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 Somerville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Somerville’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerville, and Somerville’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #157 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somerville’s residents live in 2 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, Somerville has more expected damage per building than 89% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Somerville: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Somerville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Somerville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fayette County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somerville
Disasters that paid out in Somerville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Somerville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm373 households applied for aid$739K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes217 households applied for aid$149K aid approved$24K to the Town of Somerville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the Town of Somerville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$158 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain13 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Fayette County has had 16 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 Somerville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerville archive →Get ready for what Somerville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Somerville
Is Somerville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerville has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #157 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Somerville 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 Fayette County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somerville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerville’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 Somerville?
By FEMA money that reached Somerville, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 373 households applied for aid, $739K approved.
Is Somerville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Somerville’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerville’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.