Dyer County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Dyer County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.6, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $47M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Dyer County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 86.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 Medium risk — $31M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.43 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $574K in expected annual loss and about 1.33 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $47M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dyer County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Dyer County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Dyer County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $31M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.33 / yr | $574K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 16.63 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.16 / yr | $186K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.58 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 12.54 / yr | $786K |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.11 / yr | $552K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.09 / yr | $778K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.73 / yr | $5K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $65K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.15 / yr | $103K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Dyer County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), Tornado (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 |
| January 2022 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dyer County?
Dyer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dyer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $31M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $574K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dyer County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Dyer County ranks #9 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dyer County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Dyer County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 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. Dyer County's $47M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.