Montgomery County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Montgomery County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.4, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $78M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $18M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.32 / yr | $12M |
| Tornado | High | 0.48 / yr | $10M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.74 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 56.80 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.44 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.57 / yr | $29M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.11 / yr | $94K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 4.52 / yr | $102K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| 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 Montgomery County?
Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $18M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $12M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montgomery County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Montgomery County ranks #8 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Montgomery County's $78M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.