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

Clay County Disaster Risk

Clay County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#86

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% 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

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clay County, Tennessee

Clay County stands among state's safest

Clay County's composite risk score of 13.30 places it far below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 and represents one of the lowest disaster risk levels in the entire state. This very low rating reflects minimal multi-hazard exposure across nearly all disaster categories.

Among Tennessee's very lowest-risk counties

Clay County ranks among the safest of Tennessee's 95 counties with a score of just 13.30, reflecting exceptionally limited natural disaster vulnerability. Residents enjoy one of the state's most favorable risk environments for long-term planning and property investment.

Significantly safer than all regional peers

Clay County's 13.30 score is dramatically lower than every neighboring county, including Claiborne County (42.81), Cocke County (54.52), and all other surrounding jurisdictions. This marked differential underscores Clay County's exceptional safety profile within its region.

Earthquake risk modestly elevated above peers

Even Clay County's highest-risk category—earthquake (44.18)—remains notably below the state average, making it the county's only area of relative vulnerability. Tornado risk (38.49), flood risk (27.67), and wildfire risk (4.07) all sit comfortably below state norms.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Clay County residents can generally rely on standard homeowners policies for most hazard coverage, given the county's very low composite risk profile. Consider standalone earthquake insurance only if your property lies on known fault lines; otherwise, focus on routine home maintenance and emergency preparedness over specialized disaster coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clay County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    44th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    38th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    35th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Clay County

Risk Verdict

Clay County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 13th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 13th percentile nationally is an advantage for Clay County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Clay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 44th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 38th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (35th percentile), flood (28th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 44th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Clay County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Tornado at the 38th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Clay County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Clay County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Clay County falls 39.2 points below Tennessee's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Clay 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 Clay County, TN?
Clay County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Clay County?
Clay County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (44th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 44th 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 Clay County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Clay County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clay County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Clay County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Clay County's earthquake risk is at the 44th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Clay County is at the 28th 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 Clay County a safe place to live?
Clay County's composite risk score of 13th 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 earthquake at the 44th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Houston County

Tennessee

-0.2

Very Low

13th percentile

Union County

Tennessee

-0.4

Very Low

13th percentile

Meigs County

Tennessee

-0.6

Very Low

13th 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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