More hazard damage per building is expected in Tennessee Ridge than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tennessee Ridge gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (18%). 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 Tennessee Ridge 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 Tennessee Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tennessee Ridge, and Tennessee Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tennessee Ridge’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $799K a year in losses across Tennessee Ridge: $392K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tennessee Ridge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Tennessee Ridge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Tennessee Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tennessee Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Tennessee Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tennessee Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding50 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$18K to the Town of Tennessee Ridge for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes33 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$472 aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$30K to the Town of Tennessee Ridge for repairs
Houston County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Tennessee Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tennessee Ridge archive →Tennessee Ridge and its neighbors
Tennessee Ridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Ridge | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Erin | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
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 Tennessee Ridge 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 Tennessee Ridge
Is Tennessee Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tennessee Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Tennessee Ridge 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 Houston County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tennessee Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tennessee Ridge’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 Tennessee Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Tennessee Ridge, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 33 households applied for aid, $69K approved.
Is Tennessee Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Tennessee Ridge’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tennessee Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tennessee Ridge’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.