Photo: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Memphis’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Memphis gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (30%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Memphis faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Memphis’ grade
Strong wind is 30% of the building damage FEMA expects in Memphis, and Memphis’ rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Memphis’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Memphis: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Memphis flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Memphis, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Memphis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hall County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Memphis
Disasters that paid out in Memphis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Memphis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$224K to the City of Memphis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$1K to the City of Memphis for repairs
Hall 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 Memphis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Memphis archive →Get ready for what Memphis faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Memphis
Is Memphis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Memphis has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (30%) and river and rain flooding (24%). 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 Memphis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Memphis since 2016, $2K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Memphis 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 Hall County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Memphis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Memphis’ 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 Memphis?
By FEMA money that reached Memphis, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $224K to the City of Memphis for repairs.
Is Memphis at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (30%), and Memphis’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Memphis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Memphis’ 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.