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

Benton County Disaster Risk

Benton County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

20th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Benton County, Tennessee

Benton County's Low Risk Nationally

Benton County scores 39.06 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Very Low rating that places it well below the national average. This favorable standing reflects minimal flood and wildfire exposure, though seismic and tornado hazards merit resident awareness.

Benton County's Safest Position in Tennessee

Benton County's 39.06 score sits significantly below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, making it one of the state's lowest-risk counties. Only neighboring Cannon County (22.90) and Bledsoe County (24.14) present lower overall risk profiles in Tennessee.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Benton County's low risk mirrors Cannon County (22.90) and contrasts sharply with higher-risk neighbors like Blount County (74.17) and Bradley County (73.41) to the east. The county's western position shields it from significant flood and wildfire exposure relative to eastern Tennessee counties.

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Earthquakes (88.42) represent Benton County's primary hazard, while tornado risk (55.92) provides secondary concern; flood (20.20) and wildfire (15.84) risks remain minimal. Seismic preparedness forms the county's most important disaster planning foundation.

Protect Your Home in Benton County

Benton County residents should focus earthquake insurance and secure-attachment strategies for furniture and appliances, given the county's low conventional hazard exposure. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers tornado damage, reducing the need for supplemental policies compared to higher-risk Tennessee counties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Benton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    40th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Benton County

Risk Verdict

Benton County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 39th percentile nationally. A 39th percentile score positions Benton County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Benton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (40th percentile), flood (20th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Benton County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. The county's tornado risk at the 56th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Benton County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Tennessee county average exceeds Benton County's score by 13.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Benton 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 Benton County, TN?
Benton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Benton County?
Benton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (88th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), flooding (20th percentile), wildfire (16th 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 Benton County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Benton County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Benton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Benton County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Benton County's earthquake risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Benton County is at the 20th 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.
Is Benton County a safe place to live?
Benton County's composite risk score of 39th percentile is below the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 88th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

White County

Tennessee

-0.5

Very Low

39th percentile

Decatur County

Tennessee

-0.6

Very Low

38th percentile

Sequatchie County

Tennessee

+1.1

Very Low

40th 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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