Decatur County Disaster Risk
Decatur County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
38th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#68
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
34th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Decatur County, Tennessee
Decatur's Risk Trails National Norms
Decatur County's composite risk score of 38.42 with a Very Low rating sits well below the national average, positioning it among America's safer counties. This low exposure provides residents meaningful protection from most disaster types.
Among Tennessee's Safest Counties
At 38.42, Decatur ranks meaningfully below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the state's lower-risk tier. Only a handful of Tennessee counties enjoy comparable safety levels.
Safer Than Most Western Tennessee Peers
Decatur's 38.42 score is considerably lower than Cumberland (67.24), Crockett (52.58), and Dyer (86.58), though similar to DeKalb (25.48). The county benefits from lower exposure to wildfire and tornado risk compared to surrounding counties.
Tornadoes Present Primary Concern
Tornado risk at 66.70 represents Decatur's main hazard, though it remains moderate compared to other Tennessee counties. Earthquake risk reaches 83.37, while flood and wildfire exposures stay quite low.
Standard Coverage Largely Sufficient Here
Decatur's Very Low composite risk of 38.42 means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate baseline protection for most residents. Ensure your policy includes tornado/wind coverage and verify your safe room preparedness plan.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Decatur County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Decatur County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Decatur County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 38th percentile. Decatur County's 38th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Decatur County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (47th percentile), flood (34th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 83th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Decatur County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 67th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Decatur County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Decatur County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.
Regional Context
Decatur County is 14.0 composite risk points below the Tennessee state mean, meaning most other Tennessee counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Decatur County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Decatur County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Decatur County?
How does Decatur County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Decatur County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Decatur 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.