DeKalb County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates DeKalb County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $658K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $77K in expected annual loss and about 6.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.59 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, DeKalb 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.
History supports the rating: DeKalb County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 8 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, DeKalb County ranks #77 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
DeKalb County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Winter Storm (2), Severe Ice 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 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has DeKalb County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for DeKalb County since 1974, most often 8 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. DeKalb County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.