Top 10 Cities That Flood in Tennessee

Top Tennessee Cities at Risk of Flooding

The 2020 First National Flood Risk Assessment (FNFRA) estimated that 383,200 properties are at substantial risk of flooding in Tennessee. This is considerably above the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps that identify 101,400 properties at risk. 

The FNFRA assessment takes into account areas that FEMA hasn’t yet mapped, adds precipitation as a separate risk, and includes current climate data. The FNFRA study also identifies 495,300 properties at risk over the next 30 years. This includes 135,500 properties with a 99% chance of flooding at least once during that time.

Here are the top 10 cities.

City	Total Properties At Risk	Percentage
Nashville-Davidson	33,153	13%
Memphis	32,455	14%
Chattanooga	31,575	42%
Knoxville	10,565	14%
Clarksville	5,548	10%
Murfreesboro	3,833	10%
Kingsport	3,483	14%
Hendersonville	3,313	16%
East Ridge	2,928	35%
Johnson City	2,731	11%

Our Hometowns’ Flooding Risks

Digging deeper into the FNFRA assessment, we’ve provided a bit more insight into the locations in Tennessee where we have offices. 

Nashville ranks number one in the ranking above for flooding risk. If we expand this review to include the 14 counties in the Nashville Metropolitan Area (Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Macon, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson), we find 77,817 properties at risk of flooding. That’s a stunning 254% more properties than the FEMA listing of 22,012. 

Chattanooga, at number three on the list of cities, is in Hamilton County. Reviewing the county data we find that the FNFRA study shows 37,916 properties at risk versus the FEMA maps showing 6,450. That’s a 488% difference.

Knoxville is ranked fourth on the city ranking. If we expand the review to take in all of Knox County, that brings the total properties at risk of flooding to 20,184 in the FNFRA assessment compared to 3,363 in the FEMA study. The FNRFA assessment shows five times the number of properties at risk.

Flood Insurance 

Flood insurance can be a wise choice. FEMA estimates that just one inch of water in a 5,000-square-foot multi-story home can cause $47,110 in damage to the home along with $6,344 in damage to personal property. 

More than 157,000 home and property owners in Tennessee have made FEMA flood damage claims since 2000. The largest number of claims have come from Davidson, Hamilton, Shelby, Sumner, and Williamson counties.

Note that it’s best to purchase separate flood insurance. Homeowner’s insurance covers damage only from internal sources of water, such as leaking or burst pipes. This type of insurance does not cover damage from external sources caused by rain, storms, or flooding.

Flooding Protection for Your Home

We’ve pulled together the following list to get you started on protecting your home, basement, or crawl space from serious water damage from flooding.

• Slope Your Landscape Away from the Foundation. In addition, make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear. Use downspout extensions to move the water well away from the foundation.
• Waterproof Your Basement or Crawl Space. Add an internal drainage system along with a sump pump with battery backup. This will prevent any leaks before they can develop into serious flooding.
• Install Flood Sensors. These sensors can detect rising water and alert you at once. They can be added to your security system or connected with a smartphone app.
• Add Flood Vents. These actually allow water into your basement or crawl space to alleviate the buildup of water pressure against the foundation walls. This mitigates the greater damage of collapsing walls.
• Install Backflow Valves. Make sure any drainpipes entering your house have backflow valves to prevent sewage from backing up into your home.
• Use Flood-Resistant Drywall and Insulation. This not only reduces the damage from flooding but also allows easier cleanup.
• Raise Utilities. Water heaters, washing machines, and dryers can be raised above the expected flooding levels. Likewise, electrical outlets and wiring can also be permanently moved higher.
• Move Valuables. Store your valuables in waterproof containers. When possible, store them on an upper flow or at least move them when flooding appears imminent. 

In case of flooding in your home, make sure you protect your family. Move to a higher floor or evacuate the premises if you’re in immediate danger from rising waters.

Preparing Your Home with AFS

While certain cities in Tennessee are more prone to flooding, it’s crucial for homeowners to stay prepared and informed.

Although AFS may not address historic floodwater damage directly, our expertise lies in mitigating issues caused by groundwater and heavy rain, which are common in flood-prone areas.

By focusing on solutions like waterproofing and proper drainage, AFS can significantly reduce the risk of water damage from these sources. If you reside in one of Tennessee’s high-risk flood areas, consider safeguarding your home against the more routine challenges.

Contact AFS for a comprehensive free inspection and to learn how our services can help protect your property from the ground up.

FAQs

How quickly should water damage be addressed?

As quickly as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, to minimize structural damage and prevent mold growth.

How long does it take to repair water damage?

The time can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and the drying conditions.

What steps can I take to minimize flood damage in the future?

Consider landscaping changes, installing backflow valves, waterproofing your basement, and other mitigation activities to reduce future flood risk.

Ted Dryce

SEO Content Specialist

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.