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

DeKalb County Disaster Risk

DeKalb County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#77

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in DeKalb County, Tennessee

DeKalb Among America's Safest Counties

DeKalb County's composite risk score of just 25.48 with a Very Low rating places it in the safest tier of U.S. counties. This exceptionally low exposure across multiple hazard categories provides residents substantial protection.

Tennessee's Safest County

At 25.48, DeKalb ranks dramatically below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, earning status as the state's single lowest-risk county. No other Tennessee county comes close to this level of safety.

Safest in Its Region by Far

DeKalb's 25.48 score is substantially lower than Crockett (52.58), Dickson (53.47), and Decatur (38.42). The county's geographic positioning and terrain provide measurable protection compared to surrounding areas.

Tornado Risk Modest, Others Minimal

Tornado risk at 48.92 is DeKalb's only moderate hazard exposure. Earthquake risk reaches 69.02, while flood and wildfire risks remain exceptionally low at 34.51 and 7.67 respectively.

Basic Coverage Protects DeKalb Homes

DeKalb's Very Low composite risk of 25.48 means standard homeowners policies provide solid coverage for most disaster scenarios. Maintain an updated tornado safety plan and ensure adequate coverage limits for your property value.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in DeKalb County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    48th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: DeKalb County

Risk Verdict

DeKalb County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 25th percentile nationally. DeKalb County residents can take confidence from a 25th 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 DeKalb County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (48th percentile), flood (35th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 69th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, DeKalb 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. The county's tornado risk at the 49th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Building age matters for earthquake risk in DeKalb 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

DeKalb County falls 27.0 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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, TN?
DeKalb County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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 DeKalb County?
DeKalb County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (69th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 69th 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 DeKalb County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
DeKalb County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means DeKalb County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is DeKalb County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, DeKalb County's earthquake risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, DeKalb County is at the 35th 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 DeKalb County a safe place to live?
DeKalb County's composite risk score of 25th 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 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Scott County

Tennessee

+0.6

Very Low

26th percentile

Bledsoe County

Tennessee

-1.3

Very Low

24th percentile

Cannon County

Tennessee

-2.6

Very Low

23th 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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