Rhea County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.