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

Grundy County Disaster Risk

Grundy County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#70

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

29th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grundy County, Tennessee

Grundy County maintains very low national risk

Grundy County's composite risk score of 34.26 places it in the Very Low risk category, well below the national average. The county benefits from lower-than-average exposure to most natural hazards, though tornado and wildfire risks require localized attention.

Among Tennessee's safest counties

Grundy County's 34.26 score ranks well below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it among the state's lower-risk counties. Only Grainger (18.61) and Fentress (28.44) counties score lower, making Grundy one of Tennessee's three safest communities by composite risk.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Grundy County's very low rating (34.26) contrasts favorably with neighbors like Sequatchie County and Cumberland County to the north. Its 34.26 score positions it as one of South-Central Tennessee's safest areas, offering significantly lower hazard exposure than the broader regional average.

Tornadoes and wildfires merit attention

Tornado risk (74.52) ranks highest in Grundy County, reflecting the county's location in Tennessee's tornado-prone corridor where spring storms develop regularly. Wildfire risk (56.14) ranks second, tied to the county's partly forested terrain and seasonal drought conditions that occasionally spark fires.

Standard coverage with tornado provisions

Grundy County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most hazards, but should ensure tornado and hail coverage is explicitly included. Properties near wooded areas should verify wildfire provisions are adequate, and consider reviewing coverage annually to reflect any property changes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grundy County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    64th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Grundy County

Risk Verdict

Grundy County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 34th percentile nationally. Grundy County residents can take confidence from a 34th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Grundy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (56th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile), flood (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Grundy County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 75th percentile nationally. For Grundy County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 64th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Grundy County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Grundy County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Tennessee county average exceeds Grundy County's score by 18.2 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Grundy 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 Grundy County, TN?
Grundy County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Grundy County?
Grundy County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (75th percentile), earthquake (64th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile), flooding (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 75th 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 Grundy County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Grundy County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grundy County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Grundy County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Grundy County's tornado risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grundy County is at the 29th 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 Grundy County a safe place to live?
Grundy County's composite risk score of 34th 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 tornado at the 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Macon County

Tennessee

+0.3

Very Low

35th percentile

Perry County

Tennessee

-0.9

Very Low

33th percentile

Polk County

Tennessee

-3.1

Very Low

31th 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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