Natural Disasters in Bells, TN

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

52.6

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

43.9

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

81.5

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

51.9

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Earthquake93.7Ice Storm69.3Strong Wind65.0
HazardRisk Score
Earthquake93.7
Ice Storm69.3
Strong Wind65.0
Cold Wave62.9
Drought60.7
Heat Wave59.1
Tornado55.2
Winter Weather52.9
Lightning47.2
Hurricane47.1
Landslide27.8
Hail9.6
Wildfire7.8

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

18

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Jan 2026

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

14 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
Jan 24, 2026Winter StormSEVERE WINTER STORM
Jun 19, 2025Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Apr 2, 2025Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
May 17, 2023Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADO
Mar 11, 2022Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORM
Apr 2, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
May 9, 2011Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
May 1, 2011Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING
May 4, 2010Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES
Sep 5, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
May 8, 2003Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Nov 13, 2002Severe StormSEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOS
Jan 19, 1999Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND HIGH WINDS
Apr 20, 1998Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING
Jan 13, 1998Severe StormSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Feb 28, 1994Severe StormSEVERE WINTER ICE STORM,FLASH FLOODING
May 7, 1979Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

237

Total IA Distributed

$442,667

Repair/Replace

$296,179

Rental Assistance

$40,200

DisasterRegistrationsTotal IA $Avg Damage
DR-17452N/A—
DR-19791N/A$124
DR-1909113$257,544$3,441
DR-197441$73,822$1,900
DR-45149$53,184—
DR-144139$35,460$1,430
DR-146428$13,671$736
DR-47014$8,985$1,837

Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

10

Total Claims Paid

$446,053

Avg Claim Payout

$44,605

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$607,065

Disasters with PA

6

Total Projects

49

DisasterTypeProjectsFederal $
DR-1909Severe Storm(s)33$407,140
DR-1974Severe Storm(s)6$93,103
DR-1979Severe Storm(s)3$66,496
DR-4514Biological1$17,879
DR-1441Severe Storm(s)1$11,634
DR-1262Severe Storm(s)5$10,813

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

1

Federal Funding

$940,296

Properties Protected

1

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

3.27

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
206.2: Safe Room (Tornado and Severe Wind Shelter) - Public Structures1$940,296

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Bells has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, ice storm, strong wind. The area has had 18 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (14 declarations). 10 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $607,065 in public assistance recovery funding. $442,667 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 1 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.