Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Woodbury than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodbury gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #150 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1994.
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 Woodbury 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
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 Woodbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodbury, and Woodbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #150 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodbury’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, Woodbury has more expected damage per building than 85% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Woodbury: $870K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodbury flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodbury, from FEMA’s records: 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $5K
Woodbury isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cannon County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodbury
Disasters that paid out in Woodbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Woodbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes27 households applied for aid$47K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes80 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$10K to the Town of Woodbury for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$811 to the Town of Woodbury for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Town of Woodbury for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1998Severe Winter Storm$20K to the Town of Woodbury for repairs
Cannon County has had 18 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 Woodbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodbury archive →Get ready for what Woodbury 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.
- 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 Woodbury
Is Woodbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodbury has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #150 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Woodbury since 1994, $1.2M in all, or 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Woodbury 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 Cannon County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodbury’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 Woodbury?
By FEMA money that reached Woodbury, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 27 households applied for aid, $47K approved. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Woodbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Woodbury’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodbury’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.