Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, South Pittsburg faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Pittsburg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #120 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1980.
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 South Pittsburg 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
Tornadoes
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 South Pittsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Pittsburg, and South Pittsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #120 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Pittsburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, South Pittsburg has more expected damage per building than 68% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across South Pittsburg: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Pittsburg flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Pittsburg, from FEMA’s records: 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $62K
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $5K
South Pittsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Pittsburg
Disasters that paid out in South Pittsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Pittsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$201K to the City of South Pittsburg for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$6K to the City of South Pittsburg for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$39K to the City of South Pittsburg for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and$45K to the City of South Pittsburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$252K to the City of South Pittsburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of South Pittsburg for repairs
Marion County has had 19 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Marion County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of South Pittsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Pittsburg archive →South Pittsburg and its neighbors
South Pittsburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Pittsburg | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Kimball | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 South Pittsburg 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.
- 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.
- 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 South Pittsburg
Is South Pittsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Pittsburg has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #120 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Pittsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in South Pittsburg since 1980, $517K in all, or 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is South Pittsburg 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 Marion County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Pittsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Pittsburg’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 South Pittsburg?
By FEMA money that reached South Pittsburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 41 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $252K to the City of South Pittsburg for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $62K.
Is South Pittsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and South Pittsburg’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Pittsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Pittsburg’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.