Photo: Flickr user chiacomo · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Tiptonville than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tiptonville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (68%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Tiptonville 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 Tiptonville’s grade
Earthquakes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tiptonville, and Tiptonville’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 7%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #177 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tiptonville’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, Tiptonville has more expected damage per building than 100% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Tiptonville: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tiptonville flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tiptonville, from FEMA’s records: 13.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $87K
Tiptonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tiptonville
Disasters that paid out in Tiptonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tiptonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes23 households applied for aid$88K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$90K to the Town of Tiptonville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding150 households applied for aid$319K aid approved$84K to the Town of Tiptonville for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$116K to the Town of Tiptonville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$7K to the Town of Tiptonville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$7K to the Town of Tiptonville for repairs
Lake County has had 15 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 Tiptonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tiptonville archive →Get ready for what Tiptonville 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 Tiptonville
Is Tiptonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tiptonville has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (68%) and river and rain flooding (19%). 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 Tiptonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Tiptonville since 1979, $138K in all, or 13.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (6).
Is Tiptonville 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 Lake County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tiptonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tiptonville’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 Tiptonville?
By FEMA money that reached Tiptonville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 150 households applied for aid, $319K approved, and $84K to the Town of Tiptonville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 6 paid, $87K.
Is Tiptonville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Tiptonville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tiptonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tiptonville’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.