Hardeman County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Hardeman County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.0, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hardeman County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 63.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $9K in expected annual loss and about 1.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hardeman County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Hardeman County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 9 for severe storm events and 2 for winter storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Hardeman County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.51 / yr | $9K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 15.42 / yr | $676K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $117K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.88 / yr | $180K |
| Drought | Low | 9.88 / yr | $101K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.60 / yr | $362K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $25K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.31 / yr | $60K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.63 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Hardeman County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Winter Storm (2), Tornado (2).
| 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 |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| May 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hardeman County?
Hardeman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hardeman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Landslide (Low, $9K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hardeman County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Hardeman County ranks #38 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hardeman County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Hardeman County since 1975, most often 9 for severe storm 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. Hardeman County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.