Coffee County Disaster Risk
Coffee County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
64th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#34
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Coffee County, Tennessee
Coffee County moderately exceeds state average
Coffee County's composite risk score of 63.52 sits above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, indicating above-average vulnerability to natural disasters. The county's relatively low rating reflects concentrated risk in specific hazard categories rather than uniform exposure across all disaster types.
Upper-middle tier risk among Tennessee counties
With a score of 63.52, Coffee County ranks in the upper-middle range of Tennessee's 95 counties by disaster risk. The county's positioning reflects its central Tennessee location, where certain seismic and storm hazards are naturally amplified.
Higher tornado risk than comparable peers
Coffee County's tornado risk of 86.29 substantially exceeds that of surrounding counties in the region, making severe weather the county's distinguishing hazard characteristic. Its composite score of 63.52 places it among the riskier central Tennessee counties.
Tornadoes and earthquakes threaten residents
Tornado risk (86.29) and earthquake risk (87.37) represent Coffee County's primary concerns, both well above the state average and indicating significant seismic and storm exposure. Flood risk (55.98) ranks third, while wildfire exposure remains minimal at 11.55.
Storm shelter and earthquake insurance essential
Coffee County residents should prioritize a basement safe room or reinforced interior shelter to address the county's exceptionally high 86.29 tornado risk. Standalone earthquake insurance is equally critical given the county's 87.37 seismic risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Coffee County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Coffee County
Risk Verdict
At the 64th percentile nationally, Coffee County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Coffee County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Coffee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (56th percentile), hurricane (52th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Coffee County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 87th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Coffee County's tornado risk at the 86th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. After a major earthquake, Coffee County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.
Regional Context
Coffee County falls 11.1 points above Tennessee's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Coffee County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Coffee County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Coffee County?
How does Coffee County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Coffee County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Coffee 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.