Obion County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Obion County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.3, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Obion County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Obion County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $20M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $912K in expected annual loss and about 1.48 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 2.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Obion County has a 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: Obion County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 8 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, Obion County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $20M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.48 / yr | $912K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.58 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.95 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 12.30 / yr | $790K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.53 / yr | $146K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.73 / yr | $884K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.33 / yr | $7K |
| Lightning | Medium | 57.70 / yr | $422K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $49K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 2.99 / yr | $127K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Obion County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (4), Tornado (3).
| 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 |
| January 2022 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Obion County?
Obion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Obion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $20M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $912K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Obion County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Obion County ranks #13 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Obion County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Obion County since 1973, most often 8 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. Obion County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.