Monroe County

Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

60.9

National percentile: 61th

Monroe County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.9, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $16M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 46K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Landslide
Medium $112K/yr
Earthquake
Low $3M/yr
Strong Wind
Medium $924K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Landslide Medium 2.85 / yr $112K
Earthquake Low 0.01 / yr $3M
Strong Wind Medium 4.70 / yr $924K
Lightning Medium 58.12 / yr $373K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $115K
Riverine Flood Low 1.11 / yr $8M
Tornado Low 0.26 / yr $1M
Cold Wave Low 1.17 / yr $1M
Hurricane Low 0.03 / yr $156K
Drought Low 25.77 / yr $154K
Ice Storm Low 0.47 / yr $74K
Winter Weather Low 6.00 / yr $39K
Hail Low 3.34 / yr $137K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.84 / yr $124K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Monroe County?

Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $112K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $924K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Monroe County compare to other Tennessee counties?

Monroe County ranks #41 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

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. Monroe County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.