DeKalb County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
DeKalb County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.5, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $658K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.00 / yr | $77K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.59 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.94 / yr | $575K |
| Drought | Low | 16.26 / yr | $152K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $899K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.30 / yr | $219K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $53K |
| Lightning | Low | 59.28 / yr | $164K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.68 / yr | $29K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.58 / yr | $81K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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 DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in DeKalb County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $658K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $77K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does DeKalb County compare to other Tennessee counties?
DeKalb County ranks #77 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. DeKalb County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.