Photo: Bill Showalter from Greeneville Tennessee, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Tusculum than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tusculum gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Tusculum 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 Tusculum’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tusculum, and Tusculum’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 20% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 177 in Tennessee; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tusculum’s residents live in 3 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, Tusculum has less expected damage per building than 100% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $530K a year in losses across Tusculum: $348K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tusculum flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tusculum, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $42K
Tusculum isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Tusculum
Disasters that paid out in Tusculum itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tusculum), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Tusculum for repairs
Greene 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 Tusculum after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tusculum archive →Tusculum and its neighbors
Tusculum 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tusculum | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Greeneville | A+less damage than 98% | 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 Tusculum 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 Tusculum
Is Tusculum at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tusculum has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tusculum flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Tusculum since 2024, $42K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Tusculum 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 Greene County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tusculum?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tusculum’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 Tusculum?
By FEMA money that reached Tusculum, Severe Storms and Flooding (2001): $3K to the City of Tusculum for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $42K.
Is Tusculum at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Tusculum’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tusculum.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tusculum’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.