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

Cannon County Disaster Risk

Cannon County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#79

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

39th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cannon County, Tennessee

Cannon County's Nationally Low Risk

Cannon County scores 22.90 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Very Low rating far below the national average. The county's exceptionally low flood (39.47), wildfire (4.17), and hurricane (27.20) exposure creates one of Tennessee's safest natural hazard profiles.

Cannon County Among Tennessee's Safest

Cannon County's 22.90 score is the lowest in Tennessee, well below the state average of 52.45. Only Bledsoe County (24.14) approaches Cannon's exceptional safety standing, making both western counties standout exceptions in Tennessee's risk landscape.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Cannon County's 22.90 score rivals Bledsoe County (24.14) as Tennessee's safest, creating a dramatic contrast with nearby Bedford County (69.24) and Campbell County (58.02). The county's central position shields it from mountain-region seismic and wildfire hazards affecting eastern neighbors.

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Tornado risk (57.60) and earthquake exposure (53.05) represent Cannon County's primary natural hazards, while flood (39.47), hurricane (27.20), and wildfire (4.17) risks remain minimal. The county's low composite risk reflects geographic protection from multiple hazard types.

Protect Your Home in Cannon County

Cannon County residents should maintain standard tornado coverage through homeowners insurance and consider earthquake insurance as a prudent supplement given moderate seismic exposure. The county's exceptionally low flood and wildfire risks mean supplemental coverage in these areas is rarely necessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cannon County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    53th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    39th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Cannon County

Risk Verdict

Cannon County's overall natural disaster score at the 23th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Cannon County's favorable 23th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Cannon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (39th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 58th percentile nationally, Cannon County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Cannon County at the 53th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. For Cannon County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Cannon County's composite risk score sits 29.5 points below the Tennessee county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Cannon 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 Cannon County, TN?
Cannon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Cannon County?
Cannon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (58th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), flooding (39th percentile), hurricane (27th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 58th 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 Cannon County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Cannon County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cannon County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Cannon County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cannon County's tornado risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cannon County is at the 39th 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 Cannon County a safe place to live?
Cannon County's composite risk score of 23th 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 tornado at the 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jackson County

Tennessee

-0.4

Very Low

23th percentile

Overton County

Tennessee

-0.7

Very Low

22th percentile

Bledsoe County

Tennessee

+1.2

Very Low

24th 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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