Henry County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Henry County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.7, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Henry County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 84.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $19M in expected annual loss and about 2.42 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $38M in expected annual loss for a population of 32K.
Beyond physical exposure, Henry 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: Henry County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 12 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, Henry County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 2.42 / yr | $19M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $10M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.14 / yr | $370K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.16 / yr | $141K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.14 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.50 / yr | $453K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.21 / yr | $796K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.42 / yr | $720K |
| Drought | Medium | 7.95 / yr | $287K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $47K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.85 / yr | $49K |
| 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
Henry County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), 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 |
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| May 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado |
| January 2022 | 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Henry County?
Henry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Henry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $19M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $10M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Henry County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Henry County ranks #12 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Henry County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Henry County since 1975, most often 12 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. Henry County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.