Hamblen County Disaster Risk
Hamblen County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
47th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#58
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
55th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hamblen County, Tennessee
Hamblen County's risk near national average
Hamblen County's composite risk score of 47.11 places it in the Relatively Low category, near the national average for many counties. The county faces moderate exposure to earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes that warrant thoughtful preparedness planning.
Below Tennessee's average risk profile
Hamblen County's 47.11 score sits below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, positioning it as a safer-than-average county within the state. Its earthquake risk (85.94) ranks high, but flood and tornado risks remain moderate, creating a balanced overall hazard profile.
Safer than Greene, comparable to Cocke
Hamblen County's 47.11 score falls below Greene County (56.30) to the north and provides moderate protection relative to other East Tennessee counties. Its risk level reflects a typical Northeast Tennessee community facing seismic and water-related hazards alongside seasonal tornado exposure.
Earthquakes dominate hazard landscape
Earthquake risk peaks at 85.94, making seismic activity Hamblen County's most significant natural hazard concern tied to the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone. Flood risk (54.61) ranks second, reflecting the county's terrain and susceptibility to heavy rainfall and stream overflow during wet seasons.
Earthquake and flood coverage essential
Homeowners should prioritize adding earthquake coverage to their policies and verify flood insurance is in place, especially for properties near waterways. Given Hamblen County's moderate composite risk and high earthquake vulnerability, comprehensive coverage addressing seismic and water-related hazards provides critical protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hamblen County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hamblen County
Risk Verdict
Hamblen County ranks at the 47th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents of Hamblen County can use the 47th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Hamblen County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (55th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hamblen County ranks at the 86th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Tornado at the 61th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Hamblen County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Hamblen County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
A composite score 5.3 points below the Tennessee state average puts Hamblen County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Hamblen County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hamblen County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Hamblen County?
How does Hamblen County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Hamblen County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Hamblen 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.