Flood · 2010

Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood

May 1–2, 2010 · TN, KY, MS

$2.4 billion

Total Damage

11,000+

Homes Flooded

$540 million

Insured Losses

$218 million

FEMA Grants

What Happened

A nearly stationary low-pressure system dumped 13.57 inches on Nashville in 36 hours — a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. The Cumberland River crested at 51.86 feet (previous record: 44.05 feet). The Grand Ole Opry, Opryland Hotel, and 11,000+ homes flooded. Critically, the disaster received little national media attention (airing simultaneously with the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster) — affecting disaster relief and insurance response.

Rainfall Record

13.57 inches in Nashville in 36 hours — the largest 2-day rainfall in Nashville's recorded history

Affected Cities & States

States

TNKYMS

Primary Cities

Nashville
Clarksville
Franklin
Murfreesboro

Key Lessons for Homeowners

1
A 1-in-1000-year event occurred in a city considered 'low flood risk' — no property is zero-risk
2
Nashville was barely covered nationally — affected homeowners faced slow insurance response without political pressure
3
The Cumberland River crested 7+ feet ABOVE the previous record — existing infrastructure offers no protection at unprecedented levels
4
Most flooded Nashville homes were NOT in FEMA floodplains — again showing maps are insufficient

Damage & Recovery by the Numbers

Total Economic Damage: $2.4 billion
Insured Losses: $540 million
Homes Flooded: 11,000+
FEMA Grants Issued: $218 million
FEMA Declaration #: DR-1888

Official Resources

FEMA Declaration Number: DR-1888

Apply for federal disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov — use declaration number above to look up your eligibility.

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Related Resources

Other Major Events

Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood — Frequently Asked Questions

: Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood (2010) caused $2.4 billion in total damages, with $540 million in insured losses. Approximately 11,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $218 million in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.
: Key lessons from Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood: A 1-in-1000-year event occurred in a city considered 'low flood risk' — no property is zero-risk; Nashville was barely covered nationally — affected homeowners faced slow insurance response without political pressure; The Cumberland River crested 7+ feet ABOVE the previous record — existing infrastructure offers no protection at unprecedented levels; Most flooded Nashville homes were NOT in FEMA floodplains — again showing maps are insufficient.
: Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood. This type of damage — surface water flooding from river flooding and storm runoff — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance. FEMA disaster assistance (average $218 million per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.
: Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages. FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.

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What Happened

Rainfall Record

13.57 inches in Nashville in 36 hours — the largest 2-day rainfall in Nashville's recorded history

Key Lessons for Homeowners

A 1-in-1000-year event occurred in a city considered 'low flood risk' — no property is zero-risk

Nashville was barely covered nationally — affected homeowners faced slow insurance response without political pressure

The Cumberland River crested 7+ feet ABOVE the previous record — existing infrastructure offers no protection at unprecedented levels

Most flooded Nashville homes were NOT in FEMA floodplains — again showing maps are insufficient

Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood — Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood (2010) caused $2.4 billion in total damages, with $540 million in insured losses. Approximately 11,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $218 million in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.

Key lessons from Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood: A 1-in-1000-year event occurred in a city considered 'low flood risk' — no property is zero-risk; Nashville was barely covered nationally — affected homeowners faced slow insurance response without political pressure; The Cumberland River crested 7+ feet ABOVE the previous record — existing infrastructure offers no protection at unprecedented levels; Most flooded Nashville homes were NOT in FEMA floodplains — again showing maps are insufficient.

Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Nashville 1-in-1000-Year Flood. This type of damage — surface water flooding from river flooding and storm runoff — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance. FEMA disaster assistance (average $218 million per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.

Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages. FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.