Blount County Disaster Risk
Blount County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#19
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
74th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Blount County, Tennessee
Blount County's Risk Above National Average
Blount County scores 74.17 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating that slightly exceeds the national average. The county's mountainous terrain drives elevated earthquake exposure (93.10), the highest in Tennessee, alongside significant flood and wildfire vulnerability.
How Blount Ranks Among Tennessee Counties
Blount County's 74.17 score significantly exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county's earthquake risk (93.10) stands as the highest in Tennessee, reflecting its proximity to major fault systems in the Great Smoky Mountains region.
Comparing Risk to Neighbors
Blount County faces comparable risk to Anderson County (73.19) and Bradley County (73.41), forming a cluster of high-risk eastern Tennessee counties. The county's mountainous position distinguishes it from lower-risk neighbors like Benton County (39.06) and Cannon County (22.90).
Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes (93.10) dominate Blount County's hazard profile—the state's highest exposure—followed by significant flood (74.01) and wildfire (69.43) risks. The county's Great Smoky Mountains location creates overlapping seismic, water, and fire vulnerabilities that require multi-layered preparedness.
Protect Your Home in Blount County
Blount County residents must prioritize earthquake insurance and structural reinforcement—a necessity given the state's highest seismic risk. Flood and wildfire insurance are equally essential; properties in mountain valleys and wildland-urban interface zones face compounded exposure requiring comprehensive coverage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Blount County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Blount County
Risk Verdict
Blount County's FEMA risk score places it at the 74th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Blount County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (69th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), hurricane (56th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 93th percentile nationally, Blount County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Flood at the 74th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Blount County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Blount County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Tennessee county average is 21.7 composite points below Blount County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Blount County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Blount County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Blount County?
How does Blount County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Blount County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Blount County higher risk than average?
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.