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

Claiborne County Disaster Risk

Claiborne County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#64

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Claiborne County, Tennessee

Claiborne County ranks below state average

Claiborne County's composite risk score of 42.81 falls meaningfully below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, positioning it among the state's lower-risk counties. The county's relatively low rating belies one significant hazard concentration that demands local attention.

Among Tennessee's safest counties overall

With a score of 42.81, Claiborne County ranks in the lower quartile of Tennessee's 95 counties by disaster risk. This favorable standing reflects the county's location in the Cumberland Plateau region, where certain hazards are naturally moderated.

Lower risk than eastern Appalachian peers

Claiborne County's 42.81 score is substantially lower than Cocke County's 54.52 to the east and Carter County's 63.17 to the northeast. This differential reflects Claiborne's less pronounced exposure to mountain-driven flood and wildfire risks that characterize higher-risk East Tennessee counties.

Wildfires pose outsized local threat

Wildfire risk (81.36) stands as Claiborne County's dominant concern—substantially above the state average and ranking among the highest in Tennessee. Earthquake risk (72.58) and flood risk (51.72) present secondary concerns, while tornado and hurricane risks remain moderate.

Wildfire prevention and insurance critical

Claiborne County's exceptionally high wildfire risk (81.36) makes defensible space maintenance—clearing brush, dead trees, and vegetation within 30 feet of structures—essential for every property owner. Verify that your homeowners policy covers wildfire damage and consider additional coverage if you're in a higher-elevation or forested area.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Claiborne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    73th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    52th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Claiborne County

Risk Verdict

Claiborne County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 43th percentile across all U.S. counties. A 43th percentile score positions Claiborne County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Claiborne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (52th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 81th percentile nationally for wildfire, Claiborne County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 73th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Claiborne County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Claiborne County is 9.6 composite risk points below the Tennessee state mean, meaning most other Tennessee counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Claiborne 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 Claiborne County, TN?
Claiborne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 43th 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 Claiborne County?
Claiborne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), earthquake (73th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), hurricane (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 81th 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 Claiborne County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Claiborne County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Claiborne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Claiborne County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Claiborne County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Claiborne County is at the 52th 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 Claiborne County a safe place to live?
Claiborne County's composite risk score of 43th 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 wildfire at the 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wayne County

Tennessee

+0.2

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Chester County

Tennessee

+1.7

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Jefferson County

Tennessee

+2.1

Relatively Low

45th 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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