Photo: Dwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in White Pine than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Pine gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #43 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1982.
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 White Pine 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
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 White Pine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Pine, and White Pine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #43 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White Pine’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, White Pine has less expected damage per building than 76% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $539K a year in losses across White Pine: $417K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Pine flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Pine, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
White Pine isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White Pine
Disasters that paid out in White Pine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of White Pine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$4K to the Town of White Pine for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$6K to the Town of White Pine for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$4K to the Town of White Pine for repairs
Jefferson County has had 17 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 White Pine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Pine archive →Get ready for what White Pine 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.
- 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 White Pine
Is White Pine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Pine has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #43 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White Pine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in White Pine since 1982, $24K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is White Pine 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 Jefferson County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White Pine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Pine’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 White Pine?
By FEMA money that reached White Pine, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2015): $6K to the Town of White Pine for repairs.
Is White Pine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and White Pine’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Pine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Pine’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.