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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bedford County, Tennessee

Bedford County's Risk in National Context

Bedford County scores 69.24 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating that mirrors the national average. This moderate positioning suggests Bedford residents face manageable but real hazards requiring thoughtful preparation.

How Bedford Ranks Among Tennessee Counties

Bedford County's 69.24 score exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the state's upper-risk tier. The county's tornado exposure (83.14) ranks among the highest in Tennessee, a critical vulnerability for central Tennessee communities.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Bedford County faces substantially higher risk than low-risk neighbors Cannon County (22.90) and Benton County (39.06), but matches Blount County (74.17) and Bradley County (73.41) across its eastern boundaries. The tornado risk differentiates Bedford from its western neighbors most significantly.

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Tornadoes (83.14) pose Bedford County's most acute threat, followed closely by earthquake risk (83.02) and moderate flood exposure (70.23). Spring severe weather and seismic activity represent the year-round hazard profile residents must acknowledge.

Protect Your Home in Bedford County

Bedford County homeowners should prioritize tornado-resistant construction, safe room installation, and comprehensive earthquake insurance given dual high-hazard exposure. Flood insurance is also recommended, particularly for properties in or near known flood zones or within 100-year floodplains.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bedford County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    70th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bedford County

Risk Verdict

At the 69th percentile nationally, Bedford County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Bedford County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Bedford County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (70th percentile), hurricane (55th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bedford County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 83th percentile nationally. In Bedford County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Bedford County at the 83th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Bedford County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Bedford County households.

Regional Context

Bedford County falls 16.8 points above Tennessee's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Bedford 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 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 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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