Fentress County

Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

28.4

National percentile: 28th

Fentress County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.4, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $6M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 18K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Lightning
High $1M/yr
Landslide
Low $14K/yr
Cold Wave
Medium $1M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Lightning High 57.43 / yr $1M
Landslide Low 1.14 / yr $14K
Cold Wave Medium 1.16 / yr $1M
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $104K
Winter Weather Medium 10.00 / yr $80K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $303K
Hail Low 3.01 / yr $183K
Strong Wind Low 5.39 / yr $367K
Tornado Low 0.24 / yr $755K
Hurricane Very Low 0.03 / yr $34K
Ice Storm Low 0.64 / yr $29K
Drought Low 10.67 / yr $19K
Riverine Flood Very Low 1.29 / yr $2M
Heat Wave Very Low 0.11 / yr $4K
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 Fentress County?

Fentress County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Fentress County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $14K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Fentress County compare to other Tennessee counties?

Fentress County ranks #74 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. Fentress County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.