Smith County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Smith County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.8, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $392K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.96 / yr | $699K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 11.14 / yr | $112K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.89 / yr | $43K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $172K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.95 / yr | $144K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.38 / yr | $126K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $11K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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 Smith County?
Smith County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Smith County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $392K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Smith County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Smith County ranks #83 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Smith County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.