Hamblen County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Hamblen County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.1, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hamblen County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $20K in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $547K in expected annual loss and about 51.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 64K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hamblen County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Hamblen County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 3 for flood events and 2 for winter storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Hamblen County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.49 / yr | $20K |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.54 / yr | $547K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.04 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.19 / yr | $96K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.46 / yr | $433K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.74 / yr | $49K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.58 / yr | $535K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23K |
| Drought | Low | 16.93 / yr | $24K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.97 / yr | $95K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $65K |
| 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
Hamblen County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Winter Storm (2), Severe 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 |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hamblen County?
Hamblen County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hamblen County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $20K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $547K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hamblen County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Hamblen County ranks #58 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hamblen County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Hamblen County since 1973, most often 3 for flood 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. Hamblen County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.