riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Bedford County Disaster Risk

Bedford County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

70th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Bedford County

Risk Verdict

Bedford County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 69th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Bedford County, scoring in the 83th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 83th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (70th), hurricane (55th), wildfire (19th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Bedford County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Bedford County is significantly riskier than the average county in Tennessee. Its composite risk score is 16.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bedford County, TN?
Bedford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Bedford County?
Bedford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (83th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), flooding (70th percentile), hurricane (55th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 83th 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 Bedford County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Bedford County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bedford County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Bedford County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Bedford County's tornado risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bedford County is at the 70th 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 Bedford County higher risk than average?
Bedford County's composite risk score of 69th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (83th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and hurricane 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

Roane County

Tennessee

-0.3

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Lawrence County

Tennessee

+0.4

Relatively Low

70th percentile

Loudon County

Tennessee

-0.9

Relatively Low

68th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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