Robertson County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Robertson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.4, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Robertson County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 60.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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.
Most of Robertson County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.95 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $437K in expected annual loss and about 0.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 73K.
Beyond physical exposure, Robertson County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Robertson County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 7 for severe storm events and 2 for winter storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Robertson County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.95 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $437K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 3.17 / yr | $623K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.74 / yr | $811K |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.65 / yr | $377K |
| Drought | Low | 4.94 / yr | $306K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $8M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.21 / yr | $37K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $380 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Robertson County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Winter Storm (2), Biological (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 |
| December 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Robertson County?
Robertson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Robertson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $5M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $437K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Robertson County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Robertson County ranks #42 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Robertson County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Robertson County since 1975, most often 7 for severe storm events and 2 for winter storm 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. Robertson County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.