Dickson County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Dickson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.5, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Dickson County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $293K in expected annual loss and about 0.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 54K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dickson County has a low 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: Dickson County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 14 for severe storm events and 4 for tornado events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Dickson County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $293K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.46 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.58 / yr | $539K |
| Lightning | Low | 57.76 / yr | $294K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.23 / yr | $608K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.61 / yr | $29K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.74 / yr | $22K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.30 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Dickson County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Tornado (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| December 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| May 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado |
| January 2022 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| August 2021 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dickson County?
Dickson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dickson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $5M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $293K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dickson County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Dickson County ranks #51 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dickson County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Dickson County since 1974, most often 14 for severe storm events and 4 for tornado 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. Dickson County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.