Cannon County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Cannon County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.9, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cannon County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 22.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
Most of Cannon County's expected losses come from tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $289K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $132K in expected annual loss and about 17.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cannon County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Cannon County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 2 for winter storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Cannon County ranks #79 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $289K |
| Drought | Low | 17.68 / yr | $132K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $823 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.58 / yr | $48K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.90 / yr | $404K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 59.66 / yr | $104K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $343K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $10K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.65 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.63 / yr | $58K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.60 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Cannon County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Winter Storm (2), Tornado (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 |
| June 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| May 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
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 Cannon County?
Cannon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cannon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Low, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $289K EAL), Drought (Low, $132K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cannon County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Cannon County ranks #79 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cannon County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Cannon County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 2 for winter storm 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. Cannon County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.