Hickman County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Hickman County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.2, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hickman County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.2 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; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.48 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 2.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hickman County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Hickman County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Hickman County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.11 / yr | $3K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.21 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.06 / yr | $471K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.71 / yr | $67K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.79 / yr | $232K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.81 / yr | $124K |
| Drought | Low | 11.40 / yr | $39K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $11K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.89 / yr | $15K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.41 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Hickman County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (5), Winter Storm (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 |
| May 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado |
| August 2021 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| May 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hickman County?
Hickman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.2 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 Hickman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Landslide (Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hickman County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Hickman County ranks #57 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hickman County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Hickman County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Hickman County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.