Bledsoe County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Bledsoe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.1, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bledsoe County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $7K in expected annual loss and about 0.84 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $335K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bledsoe County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Bledsoe County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 12 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, Bledsoe County ranks #78 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.84 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $335K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 28.44 / yr | $148K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.02 / yr | $360K |
| Lightning | Low | 60.84 / yr | $117K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.53 / yr | $31K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $14K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.37 / yr | $53K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.16 / yr | $31K |
| 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
Bledsoe County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), 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 |
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado |
| May 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| November 2016 | Fire | Smith Mountain Fire Complex |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bledsoe County?
Bledsoe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bledsoe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $7K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $335K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bledsoe County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Bledsoe County ranks #78 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bledsoe County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Bledsoe County since 1973, most often 12 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. Bledsoe County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.