riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Grainger County Disaster Risk

Grainger County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#84

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Grainger County

Risk Verdict

Grainger County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 19th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Grainger County, scoring in the 68th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 49th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (39th), flood (34th), hurricane (25th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Grainger County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Grainger County is notably safer than the average county in Tennessee. Its composite risk score is 33.8 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Grainger County, TN?
Grainger County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Grainger County?
Grainger County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (68th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), tornado (39th percentile), flooding (34th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 68th 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 Grainger County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Grainger County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grainger County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Grainger County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Grainger County's earthquake risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grainger County is at the 34th 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 Grainger County a safe place to live?
Grainger County's composite risk score of 19th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Smith County

Tennessee

+0.2

Very Low

19th percentile

Morgan County

Tennessee

+0.4

Very Low

19th percentile

Overton County

Tennessee

+3.6

Very Low

22th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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