Rhea County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Rhea County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.2, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Rhea County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $20K in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $746K in expected annual loss and about 4.90 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rhea County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Rhea County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Rhea County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.65 / yr | $20K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.90 / yr | $746K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.66 / yr | $286K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.58 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $45K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.84 / yr | $46K |
| Drought | Low | 25.32 / yr | $54K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.49 / yr | $40K |
| Hail | Low | 3.39 / yr | $126K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.68 / yr | $105K |
| 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
Rhea County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), Winter Storm (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 |
| May 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rhea County?
Rhea County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rhea County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $20K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $746K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rhea County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Rhea County ranks #54 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rhea County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Rhea County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 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. Rhea County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.