Blount County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Blount County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.2, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Blount County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 74.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $227K in expected annual loss and about 2.14 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 56.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $37M in expected annual loss for a population of 135K.
Beyond physical exposure, Blount County has a low 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.
History supports the rating: Blount County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 6 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Blount County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.14 / yr | $227K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | High | 56.65 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $311K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $17M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.00 / yr | $150K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $189K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.56 / yr | $937K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $143K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.65 / yr | $286K |
| Hail | Low | 3.10 / yr | $198K |
| Drought | Low | 21.88 / yr | $42K |
| 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
Blount County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (3), 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 |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| November 2016 | Fire | East Miller Cove Fire |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Blount County?
Blount County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Blount County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $227K EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $10M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Blount County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Blount County ranks #19 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Blount County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Blount County since 1973, most often 6 for severe storm events and 3 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. Blount County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.