Loudon County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Loudon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.4, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Loudon County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 68.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th 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 Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $33K in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 55K.
Beyond physical exposure, Loudon County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Loudon County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 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, Loudon County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.90 / yr | $33K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.95 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.49 / yr | $462K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 20.04 / yr | $482K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.33 / yr | $100K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $116K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $82K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.09 / yr | $112K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.90 / yr | $109K |
| 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
Loudon County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Winter Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Loudon County?
Loudon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Loudon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $33K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Loudon County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Loudon County ranks #30 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Loudon County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Loudon County since 1973, most often 10 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. Loudon County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.