Lauderdale County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Lauderdale County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.6, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Lauderdale County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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 Medium risk — $11M 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 0.39 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $343K in expected annual loss and about 1.33 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lauderdale County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Lauderdale County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Lauderdale County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $11M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.33 / yr | $343K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 17.89 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.86 / yr | $5K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.63 / yr | $76K |
| Drought | Medium | 9.67 / yr | $262K |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.90 / yr | $271K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $50K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.70 / yr | $182K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.24 / yr | $59K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Lauderdale County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (4), 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 |
| March 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lauderdale County?
Lauderdale County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lauderdale County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $11M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $343K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lauderdale County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Lauderdale County ranks #24 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lauderdale County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Lauderdale County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 4 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. Lauderdale County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.