riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Anderson County Disaster Risk

Anderson County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#22

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

78th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Anderson County, Tennessee

Anderson County's Risk in National Context

Anderson County scores 73.19 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating—below the national average of 75. While this places the county in safer territory nationally, residents still face meaningful exposure to several hazard types that warrant preparation.

How Anderson Ranks Among Tennessee Counties

Anderson County's 73.19 score sits well above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, making it one of the state's higher-risk counties. The county ranks above the median for tornado and earthquake exposure across Tennessee.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Anderson County faces similar risk profiles to Blount County (74.17) and Bradley County (73.41), all three sharing elevated earthquake and tornado exposure. Unlike nearby Campbell County (58.02), which has lower overall risk, Anderson's eastern location brings higher seismic and flood hazards.

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Earthquakes (87.79) and tornadoes (79.99) represent Anderson County's primary hazards, with flood risk also notable at 77.70. The county's proximity to fault lines and position in Tennessee's tornado corridor create overlapping spring and year-round vulnerability.

Protect Your Home in Anderson County

Anderson County residents should prioritize earthquake and tornado insurance, with particular attention to securing permanent structures and reinforcing foundations. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake damage, making separate coverage essential for this high-risk county.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Anderson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    78th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Anderson County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Anderson County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 73th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Anderson County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Anderson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (78th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 88th percentile nationally puts Anderson County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Anderson County's tornado risk at the 80th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Anderson County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Anderson County is 20.7 composite risk points above the Tennessee average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Anderson County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Anderson County, TN?
Anderson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Anderson County?
Anderson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (88th percentile), tornado (80th percentile), flooding (78th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 88th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Anderson County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Anderson County's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Anderson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Anderson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Anderson County's earthquake risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Anderson County is at the 78th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Anderson County higher risk than average?
Anderson County's composite risk score of 73th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (88th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bradley County

Tennessee

+0.2

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Carroll County

Tennessee

-0.4

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Weakley County

Tennessee

+0.9

Relatively Low

74th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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