Sequatchie County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Sequatchie County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.2, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sequatchie County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $6K in expected annual loss and about 0.57 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $271K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sequatchie 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Sequatchie County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, Sequatchie County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.57 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $271K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.18 / yr | $992K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.47 / yr | $46K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.94 / yr | $361K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Low | 61.57 / yr | $102K |
| Drought | Very Low | 23.60 / yr | $23K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $20K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.47 / yr | $37K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.53 / yr | $28K |
| 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
Sequatchie County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Fire (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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| November 2016 | Fire | Smith Mountain Fire Complex |
| August 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| May 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 Sequatchie County?
Sequatchie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sequatchie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $271K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sequatchie County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Sequatchie County ranks #65 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sequatchie County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Sequatchie County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for fire 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. Sequatchie County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.