Tennessee flood insurance and flood history
From FEMA's flood insurance and disaster data · Updated 2026-10-08
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data lists 17,706 flood insurance claims in Tennessee since 1978. The NFIP paid $480.9 million on them (building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments, in the dollars of the year paid).
The year with the most claims was 2010, with 4,724, mostly from Late spring storms.
In the last ten years (2017–2026) there were 3,768 claims, and the average paid claim was $44,542.
32% of the claims with a recorded flood zone came from buildings outside FEMA's high-risk zones (rated zones B, C and X).
About 0.7% of homes in Tennessee had an NFIP flood policy in FEMA's latest count (18,014 of 2,579,192 residential buildings). In the high-risk flood zones (Special Flood Hazard Areas), it was 25% (10,286 of 41,905).
Since 2000, FEMA has made 31 flood-related disaster declarations covering parts of Tennessee. The most recent was DR-4878-TN (Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding), declared June 19, 2025.
Flood insurance claims in Tennessee by year
Show as a table
| Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 65 | $926,056 |
| 2025 | 371 | $16.0 million |
| 2024 | 345 | $19.7 million |
| 2023 | 81 | $3.6 million |
| 2022 | 69 | $1.1 million |
| 2021 | 1,130 | $56.6 million |
| 2020 | 383 | $9.0 million |
| 2019 | 773 | $21.0 million |
| 2018 | 137 | $2.2 million |
| 2017 | 414 | $9.1 million |
| 2016 | 185 | $3.4 million |
| 2015 | 139 | $1.6 million |
| 2014 | 198 | $5.2 million |
| 2013 | 548 | $11.7 million |
| 2012 | 148 | $3.0 million |
| 2011 | 570 | $11.4 million |
| 2010 | 4,724 | $233.0 million |
| 2009 | 535 | $10.5 million |
| 2008 | 56 | $549,219 |
| 2007 | 17 | $85,220 |
| 2006 | 49 | $759,736 |
| 2005 | 33 | $277,473 |
| 2004 | 336 | $4.8 million |
| 2003 | 961 | $17.6 million |
| 2002 | 292 | $3.5 million |
| 2001 | 188 | $1.6 million |
| 2000 | 121 | $1.1 million |
| 1999 | 108 | $990,200 |
| 1998 | 524 | $5.2 million |
| 1997 | 276 | $2.9 million |
| 1996 | 164 | $1.5 million |
| 1995 | 212 | $1.4 million |
| 1994 | 564 | $4.4 million |
| 1993 | 83 | $429,788 |
| 1992 | 47 | $165,478 |
| 1991 | 136 | $699,544 |
| 1990 | 331 | $3.6 million |
| 1989 | 229 | $1.0 million |
| 1988 | 47 | $99,961 |
| 1987 | 92 | $886,633 |
| 1986 | 58 | $293,129 |
| 1985 | 32 | $87,417 |
| 1984 | 485 | $2.7 million |
| 1983 | 164 | $458,479 |
| 1982 | 208 | $1.3 million |
| 1981 | 85 | $228,910 |
| 1980 | 248 | $653,876 |
| 1979 | 572 | $2.2 million |
| 1978 | 173 | $377,499 |
Biggest flood events by NFIP payments
The flood events FEMA's claims data names most often for Tennessee, ranked by what the NFIP paid. FEMA names events in its claims records; claims without an event name aren't included here.
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late spring storms | 2010 | 4,559 | $230.6 million |
| Tennessee Flooding | 2021 | 132 | $16.4 million |
| Hurricane Helene | 2024 | 199 | $15.4 million |
| Heavy rains | 2003 | 654 | $13.8 million |
| Central U.S. April Flooding | 2025 | 198 | $7.8 million |
| Mid-spring storms | 2011 | 310 | $7.7 million |
| Flooding | 1997 | 159 | $1.5 million |
| Flooding | 1990 | 124 | $1.3 million |
| Flooding | 1987 | 58 | $715,074 |
| Early winter storms | 2015 | 52 | $483,831 |
What flood insurance costs in Tennessee
On June 30, 2026, 22,757 NFIP flood insurance policies were in force in Tennessee. For the 15,830 single-family homes among them, the typical (median) yearly cost was about $1,090; the average was $1,230.
| Rated flood zone | Policies | Typical yearly cost, single-family home | Average cost | Average building coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-risk zones (A and V) | 13,618 | $1,240 | $1,470 | $196,000 |
| Moderate- and low-risk zones (B, C and X) | 9,139 | $910 | $940 | $228,000 |
Cost here is what FEMA's data lists as the policy cost: the premium plus the reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge. It covers single-family homes only (not condos, apartments or businesses), with costs rounded to the nearest $10 and shown only where at least 20 homes back the figure. Your own price depends on your building and the coverage you choose; see how flood insurance is priced. Private flood insurance isn't included.
Policies and average cost by exact flood zone
Flood history by county
Every Tennessee county in FEMA's data, sorted by number of NFIP claims since 1978. "Insured" is the share of homes with an NFIP policy; "typical NFIP cost" is the median yearly cost for single-family homes.
| County | Claims | Paid | Insured | Typical NFIP cost | Flood declarations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson County | 4,787 | $186.4 million | 1.7% | $1,190 | 10 |
| Hamilton County | 1,748 | $30.3 million | 1.0% | $1,090 | 8 |
| Williamson County | 1,103 | $31.1 million | 2.4% | $1,160 | 5 |
| Shelby County | 1,019 | $25.1 million | 0.7% | $840 | 12 |
| Sumner County | 706 | $14.4 million | 0.9% | $1,240 | 6 |
| Knox County | 598 | $7.9 million | 0.5% | $890 | 7 |
| Wilson County | 575 | $11.2 million | 1.2% | $1,190 | 6 |
| Cheatham County | 513 | $25.7 million | 1.5% | $1,260 | 8 |
| Rutherford County | 453 | $7.1 million | 1.1% | $1,090 | 4 |
| Sevier County | 350 | $4.1 million | 0.9% | $1,390 | 6 |
| Lauderdale County | 323 | $4.6 million | 0.7% | $710 | 8 |
| Montgomery County | 313 | $11.0 million | 0.4% | $940 | 9 |
| Dyer County | 297 | $7.3 million | 1.2% | $690 | 9 |
| Carter County | 288 | $5.3 million | 1.4% | $1,360 | 6 |
| Smith County | 283 | $5.5 million | 1.1% | $1,410 | 10 |
| Humphreys County | 235 | $15.7 million | 0.9% | $1,740 | 12 |
| Gibson County | 224 | $3.2 million | 0.5% | $760 | 8 |
| Hardin County | 209 | $3.9 million | 1.0% | $1,010 | 12 |
| Bradley County | 203 | $2.2 million | 0.6% | $1,060 | 4 |
| Maury County | 200 | $3.3 million | 0.4% | $1,090 | 8 |
| Sullivan County | 197 | $2.0 million | 0.4% | $910 | 2 |
| Obion County | 191 | $3.9 million | 0.9% | $790 | 10 |
| Madison County | 173 | $3.4 million | 0.4% | $740 | 10 |
| Washington County | 152 | $6.1 million | 0.4% | $760 | 5 |
| Tipton County | 145 | $5.2 million | 0.6% | $940 | 8 |
| Marion County | 117 | $1.2 million | 0.7% | $1,110 | 8 |
| Perry County | 112 | $2.5 million | 1.4% | $1,110 | 10 |
| Decatur County | 111 | $1.8 million | 1.9% | $960 | 12 |
| Haywood County | 89 | $1.5 million | 1.0% | $710 | 8 |
| Cocke County | 85 | $5.8 million | 1.0% | $1,260 | 10 |
| Rhea County | 82 | $1.7 million | 0.7% | $1,010 | 8 |
| Dickson County | 71 | $4.0 million | 0.3% | $1,040 | 9 |
| Robertson County | 71 | $2.2 million | 0.2% | $1,160 | 4 |
| Wayne County | 71 | $1.8 million | 0.7% | $1,310 | 12 |
| Houston County | 64 | $1.6 million | 0.5% | n/a | 14 |
| Unicoi County | 64 | $1.3 million | 1.7% | $690 | 6 |
| Blount County | 60 | $1.3 million | 0.5% | $1,010 | 7 |
| Campbell County | 60 | $710,309 | 0.3% | $940 | 10 |
| Anderson County | 55 | $262,029 | 0.3% | $1,090 | 8 |
| Hickman County | 54 | $4.6 million | 0.4% | $1,260 | 12 |
| Johnson County | 51 | $2.2 million | 1.1% | $1,240 | 7 |
| Marshall County | 50 | $526,622 | 0.7% | $1,260 | 7 |
| Lincoln County | 49 | $658,676 | 0.2% | $1,090 | 6 |
| Cannon County | 48 | $1.4 million | 0.6% | $1,460 | 7 |
| Loudon County | 45 | $509,587 | 0.3% | $810 | 8 |
| Polk County | 43 | $637,564 | 0.6% | $1,490 | 6 |
| Henry County | 40 | $319,003 | 0.6% | $1,010 | 10 |
| McMinn County | 40 | $350,922 | 0.1% | $1,160 | 5 |
| Roane County | 40 | $522,092 | 0.4% | $910 | 9 |
| Greene County | 37 | $1.4 million | 0.2% | $740 | 6 |
| Lawrence County | 35 | $715,081 | 0.1% | $1,160 | 9 |
| Putnam County | 35 | $1.2 million | 0.2% | $1,140 | 6 |
| Franklin County | 32 | $223,240 | 0.3% | $1,090 | 3 |
| Bedford County | 30 | $332,018 | 0.2% | $1,090 | 5 |
| Claiborne County | 30 | $479,759 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Giles County | 30 | $457,221 | 0.7% | $960 | 10 |
| Lake County | 29 | $371,017 | 1.1% | $890 | 10 |
| Warren County | 28 | $311,268 | 0.2% | $2,010 | 6 |
| Coffee County | 26 | $171,064 | 0.4% | $1,010 | 4 |
| Fayette County | 26 | $830,131 | 0.4% | $840 | 8 |
| Hamblen County | 26 | $275,298 | 0.3% | $710 | 4 |
| Trousdale County | 26 | $272,669 | 0.3% | n/a | 4 |
| Clay County | 24 | $435,695 | 0.3% | n/a | 9 |
| Jefferson County | 24 | $268,240 | 0.3% | $860 | 7 |
| Macon County | 20 | $221,848 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Sequatchie County | 20 | $133,966 | 0.4% | $1,140 | 7 |
| Benton County | 19 | $510,825 | 0.4% | $690 | 10 |
| Carroll County | 19 | $520,821 | 0.1% | n/a | 9 |
| Lewis County | 19 | $477,429 | 0.2% | n/a | 11 |
| Henderson County | 18 | $550,815 | 0.1% | n/a | 9 |
| Jackson County | 18 | $1.2 million | 0.2% | n/a | 15 |
| DeKalb County | 17 | $161,148 | 0.3% | $1,190 | 6 |
| McNairy County | 17 | $815,774 | 0.1% | n/a | 10 |
| Monroe County | 17 | $256,764 | 0.2% | $1,110 | 5 |
| Stewart County | 17 | $571,725 | 0.4% | $740 | 9 |
| Weakley County | 17 | $73,870 | 0.2% | $860 | 8 |
| Hancock County | 16 | $290,998 | 0.4% | n/a | 5 |
| Hawkins County | 16 | $108,238 | 0.2% | $1,040 | 5 |
| Van Buren County | 14 | $346,246 | 0.5% | n/a | 5 |
| Overton County | 11 | $159,413 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Crockett County | 10 | $446,053 | 0.2% | n/a | 6 |
| Union County | 10 | $202,877 | 0.1% | n/a | 5 |
| Morgan County | 8 | $57,954 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| White County | 5 | $53,377 | 0.1% | n/a | 3 |
| Cumberland County | 4 | $7,780 | 0.1% | $610 | 7 |
| Grainger County | 3 | $40,765 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Grundy County | 3 | $35,750 | 0.2% | n/a | 5 |
| Hardeman County | 3 | $12,313 | 0.0% | n/a | 7 |
| Meigs County | 3 | $17,729 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| Chester County | 2 | $41,848 | 0.1% | n/a | 6 |
| Pickett County | 2 | $104,515 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
| Scott County | 1 | $0 | 0.2% | n/a | 9 |
| Bledsoe County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 8 |
| Fentress County | 0 | $0 | 0.0% | n/a | 9 |
| Moore County | 0 | $0 | 0.1% | n/a | 7 |
Flood-related FEMA disaster declarations in Tennessee
Declarations since 2000 that FEMA lists as involving flooding. "Help for individuals" means FEMA's Individual Assistance was approved for at least part of the area.
| Declaration | Declared | Event | Help for individuals |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4878-TN | Jun 19, 2025 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| EM-3625-TN | Apr 2, 2025 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| EM-3620-TN | Sep 27, 2024 | Tropical Storm Helene | No |
| DR-4792-TN | Jun 17, 2024 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4609-TN | Aug 23, 2021 | Severe Storm and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4601-TN | May 8, 2021 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4550-TN | Jul 9, 2020 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4541-TN | Apr 24, 2020 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4476-TN | Mar 5, 2020 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-4427-TN | Apr 17, 2019 | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | No |
| DR-4320-TN | Jun 23, 2017 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-4211-TN | Apr 2, 2015 | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding | No |
| DR-4189-TN | Aug 13, 2014 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-1979-TN | May 9, 2011 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1978-TN | May 9, 2011 | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds | No |
| EM-3321-TN | May 4, 2011 | Flooding | No |
| DR-1974-TN | May 1, 2011 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding | Yes |
| DR-1965-TN | Mar 31, 2011 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-1937-TN | Sep 15, 2010 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1909-TN | May 4, 2010 | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes | Yes |
| DR-1856-TN | Aug 21, 2009 | Severe Storms and Flooding | No |
| DR-1851-TN | Jul 13, 2009 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | No |
| DR-1839-TN | May 15, 2009 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | No |
| DR-1821-TN | Feb 17, 2009 | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding | No |
| DR-1745-TN | Feb 7, 2008 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | Yes |
Showing the 25 most recent of 31.
What to do with this
A county's history doesn't tell you your own building's risk. To see your property's flood zone, use FEMA's flood map lookup. To weigh coverage, start with do I need flood insurance? and what flood insurance costs.
Where these numbers come from
All figures on this page are calculated from FEMA's public OpenFEMA datasets:
- NFIP Redacted Claims (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP claims since 1978, downloaded 2026-10-08. Dollar amounts are what the NFIP paid, not adjusted for inflation. Claims filed under private flood insurance aren't included.
- NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (v1) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP residential policy contracts in force (as of August 3, 2026) divided by FEMA's count of residential buildings from the National Structure Inventory. FEMA notes that inventory is incomplete in some counties, which can inflate the rate. Private flood policies aren't counted.
- NFIP Redacted Policies (v3) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): NFIP policies in force on June 30, 2026 (a policy counts if its term covers that date and it wasn't cancelled), downloaded 2026-10-08. Policy counts are FEMA's insured units, so a condominium association policy counts each unit. Costs are FEMA's "policy cost" (premium plus reserve fund assessment, federal policy fee and HFIAA surcharge) for single-family homes only. Policies FEMA's data doesn't place in a county count toward the state only.
- Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2) (FEMA (OpenFEMA)): disaster declarations, downloaded 2026-10-08. We count a declaration as flood-related when FEMA lists flooding (or a dam or levee break) as its incident type or a designated incident type, or the declaration's title mentions flooding.
FEMA's redacted claims data doesn't identify properties, and FEMA notes that some records lack a county or flood zone. See how we use the data.