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

Bledsoe County Disaster Risk

Bledsoe County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

24th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#78

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bledsoe County, Tennessee

Bledsoe County's Nationally Low Risk Profile

Bledsoe County scores 24.14 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Very Low rating far below the national average. This exceptional standing reflects minimal flood, wildfire, and hurricane exposure, though residents should remain aware of tornado and earthquake activity.

Bledsoe County Among Tennessee's Safest

Bledsoe County's 24.14 score is the second-lowest in Tennessee, bested only by Cannon County (22.90), and well below the state average of 52.45. The county's unique geographic position and landscape provide natural protection from multiple major hazard types.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Bledsoe County rivals neighboring Cannon County (22.90) as Tennessee's safest county, while maintaining substantially lower risk than more developed neighbors like Campbell County (58.02). The county's elevated wildfire risk (57.00) reflects its unique hazard profile compared to even safer western counties.

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Wildfire (57.00) and earthquake (60.24) represent Bledsoe County's primary natural hazards, while tornado (55.03) poses moderate seasonal risk. Flood (27.86) and hurricane (35.29) exposure remain minimal, making Bledsoe among Tennessee's least vulnerable counties.

Protect Your Home in Bledsoe County

Bledsoe County residents should maintain defensible space around homes through vegetation management and prepare for wildfire risk, the county's most significant hazard. Earthquake insurance remains prudent, while standard homeowners policies provide adequate coverage for the county's lower tornado and flood risks.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bledsoe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    60th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    55th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bledsoe County

Risk Verdict

At the 24th percentile nationally, Bledsoe County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Being ranked at the 24th percentile nationally is an advantage for Bledsoe County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Bledsoe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (55th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), flood (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bledsoe County ranks at the 60th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Bledsoe County's wildfire risk at the 57th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Bledsoe County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

A composite score 28.3 points below the Tennessee state average puts Bledsoe County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Bledsoe 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 Bledsoe County, TN?
Bledsoe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 24th 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 Bledsoe County?
Bledsoe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (60th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), flooding (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 60th 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 Bledsoe County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Bledsoe County's composite risk percentile is 24th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bledsoe County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Bledsoe County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Bledsoe County's earthquake risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Bledsoe County is at the 28th 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 Bledsoe County a safe place to live?
Bledsoe County's composite risk score of 24th 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 60th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cannon County

Tennessee

-1.2

Very Low

23th percentile

DeKalb County

Tennessee

+1.3

Very Low

25th percentile

Jackson County

Tennessee

-1.6

Very Low

23th 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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