Anderson County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Anderson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.2, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Anderson County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 73.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Anderson County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $71K in expected annual loss and about 1.35 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 77K.
Beyond physical exposure, Anderson County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Anderson County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Anderson County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.35 / yr | $71K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.99 / yr | $613K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $16M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.05 / yr | $160K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.22 / yr | $991K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $182K |
| Hail | Low | 2.96 / yr | $391K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $56K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $59K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $149K |
| Drought | Very Low | 17.54 / yr | $9K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Anderson County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| August 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Anderson County?
Anderson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Anderson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $71K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Anderson County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Anderson County ranks #22 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Anderson County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Anderson County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in February 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Anderson County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.