Carter County Disaster Risk
Carter County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
63th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
77th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Carter County, Tennessee
Carter County's risk exceeds state average
Carter County's composite risk score of 63.17 places it above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, signaling above-average vulnerability to multiple hazard types. The county experiences a relatively low overall rating despite this score, reflecting Tennessee's generally elevated disaster exposure across most regions.
Mid-range risk among Tennessee counties
Carter County ranks in the middle-upper range of Tennessee's 95 counties by composite risk, driven significantly by flood and wildfire vulnerabilities. The county's position reflects its mountainous terrain in East Tennessee, where water and forest hazards converge.
Higher flood risk than neighboring Cocke County
Carter County's flood risk of 77.39 substantially exceeds that of adjacent Cocke County (68.48), despite both counties sitting in the Appalachian region. Its wildfire risk of 60.78 similarly exceeds Cocke County's 61.77, placing Carter in a notably vulnerable position for water and forest hazards.
Floods and wildfires pose primary threats
Flood risk dominates at 77.39 and wildfire risk at 60.78, both substantially above Tennessee's state average and reflecting the county's mountain valleys and forested terrain. Earthquake risk (70.58) and tornado risk (45.42) remain secondary concerns but still warrant preparedness planning.
Flood insurance is non-negotiable here
Carter County's 77.39 flood risk makes federal flood insurance not just recommended but critical—particularly for properties in valley areas or near waterways. Defensible space management around your home (clearing dead vegetation and branches) is equally important given the county's 60.78 wildfire risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Carter County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Carter County
Risk Verdict
Carter County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Carter County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Carter County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (61th percentile), hurricane (52th percentile), tornado (45th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Carter County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, earthquake exposure at the 71th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Carter County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
Carter County's composite risk score sits 10.7 points above the Tennessee county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Carter County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Carter County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Carter County?
How does Carter County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Carter County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Carter 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.