Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Whitwell than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitwell gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
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 Whitwell 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 Whitwell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whitwell, and Whitwell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Whitwell’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $806K a year in losses across Whitwell: $411K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whitwell flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whitwell, 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.
Whitwell 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Whitwell
Disasters that paid out in Whitwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Whitwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$39K to the City of Whitwell 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 Whitwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whitwell archive →Get ready for what Whitwell 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 Whitwell
Is Whitwell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitwell has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (12%). 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 Whitwell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Whitwell since 2020, $14K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Whitwell 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 Whitwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whitwell’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 Whitwell?
By FEMA money that reached Whitwell, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 27 households applied for aid, $44K approved.
Is Whitwell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Whitwell’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whitwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whitwell’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.