White County, Tennessee Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
White County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.5, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates White County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 38.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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.
Most of White County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $143K in expected annual loss and about 8.84 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.21 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $608K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, White County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: White County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 95 Tennessee counties, White County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.84 / yr | $143K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $608K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.37 / yr | $711K |
| Lightning | Medium | 59.39 / yr | $261K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.74 / yr | $57K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.78 / yr | $819 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $25K |
| Hail | Low | 3.14 / yr | $148K |
| Drought | Low | 17.00 / yr | $52K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $43K |
| 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
White County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (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 |
| May 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornado |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 1999 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for White County?
White County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in White County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $143K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $608K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does White County compare to other Tennessee counties?
White County ranks #67 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has White County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for White County since 1973, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. White County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.