Bedford County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Bedford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.2, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.11 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.79 / yr | $137K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.46 / yr | $12M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.35 / yr | $864K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $111K |
| Drought | Low | 25.96 / yr | $217K |
| Hail | Low | 3.84 / yr | $291K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $110K |
| Lightning | Low | 60.67 / yr | $238K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $308K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $252 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bedford County?
Bedford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bedford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bedford County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Bedford County ranks #28 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Bedford County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.