Trousdale County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Trousdale County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.1, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Trousdale County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $184K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $736K in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $795K in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Trousdale County has a very low 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: Trousdale County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 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, Trousdale County ranks #93 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $184K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $736K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.09 / yr | $795K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.26 / yr | $369K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $34K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $266 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.89 / yr | $27K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.42 / yr | $6K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.26 / yr | $81K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.30 / yr | $77K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 57.11 / yr | $59K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $754 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Trousdale County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), 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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| February 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 1994 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm,Flash Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Trousdale County?
Trousdale County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Trousdale County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Very Low, $184K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $736K EAL), Tornado (Low, $795K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Trousdale County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Trousdale County ranks #93 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Trousdale County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Trousdale County since 1974, most often 5 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. Trousdale County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.