Hamilton County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Hamilton County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.3, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $140M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.37 / yr | $32M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.65 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $17M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.20 / yr | $137K |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.93 / yr | $75M |
| Lightning | High | 61.37 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 3.74 / yr | $594K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.62 / yr | $652K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.68 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $185K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $276K |
| Drought | Low | 25.96 / yr | $50K |
| 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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hamilton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $32M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $5M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $17M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hamilton County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Hamilton County ranks #3 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Hamilton County's $140M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.