Cheatham County Disaster Risk
Cheatham County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
46th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#59
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
54th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 54% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cheatham County, Tennessee
Cheatham County sits below state average
Cheatham County's composite risk score of 46.28 falls meaningfully below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it among the state's lower-risk counties. This relatively low rating reflects a more balanced hazard profile compared to higher-risk regions across the state.
Among Tennessee's safer counties
With a score of 46.28, Cheatham County ranks in the lower half of Tennessee's 95 counties by disaster risk, positioning residents in a comparatively safer environment. The county's modest exposure means fewer households face acute multi-hazard vulnerability.
Lower risk than most immediate neighbors
Cheatham County's 46.28 score is substantially lower than Carroll County's 72.81 to the east, though comparable to Chester County's 44.50 to the south. This variation reflects Cheatham's location between higher-risk East Tennessee regions and the lower-risk central plateau.
Tornadoes and earthquakes warrant attention
Tornado risk (66.98) and earthquake risk (79.80) represent Cheatham County's primary concerns, both elevated above the state average. Flood risk of 54.48 is moderate, while wildfire risk remains very low at 14.79, reflecting the county's transitional geography.
Focus on seismic and storm readiness
Cheatham County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance and a safe room or basement reinforcement to address the county's 79.80 earthquake and 66.98 tornado risks. Standard homeowners coverage typically suffices for the county's modest flood and wildfire threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cheatham County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cheatham County
Risk Verdict
Cheatham County ranks at the 46th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Cheatham County residents can take confidence from a 46th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Cheatham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (54th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Cheatham County ranks at the 80th 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. Tornado at the 67th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Cheatham County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Cheatham 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 6.2 points below the Tennessee state average puts Cheatham County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Cheatham County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cheatham County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Cheatham County?
How does Cheatham County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Cheatham County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Cheatham County a safe place to live?
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.