riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Hawkins County Disaster Risk

Hawkins County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

56th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#49

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

65th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Hawkins County

Risk Verdict

Hawkins County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 56th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Hawkins County, scoring in the 74th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 65th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (51th), tornado (50th), hurricane (38th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Hawkins County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Hawkins County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Tennessee. Its composite risk score is within 3.3 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Tennessee as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Hawkins County, TN?
Hawkins County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 56th 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 Hawkins County?
Hawkins County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (74th percentile), flooding (65th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 74th 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 Hawkins County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Hawkins County's composite risk percentile is 56th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hawkins County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Hawkins County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Hawkins County's earthquake risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hawkins County is at the 65th 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.
Why is Hawkins County higher risk than average?
Hawkins County's composite risk score of 56th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (74th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Greene County

Tennessee

+0.5

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Cocke County

Tennessee

-1.2

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Franklin County

Tennessee

+1.7

Relatively Low

58th 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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