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

Hickman County Disaster Risk

Hickman County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

47th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hickman County, Tennessee

Hickman's disaster risk below US average

Hickman County scores 47.17 on the national composite risk scale, placing it below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 and well below high-risk counties. This relatively low rating reflects moderate hazard exposure across most natural disaster types, with the county better positioned than many peers nationally.

Middle-of-the-pack risk in Tennessee

Among Tennessee's 95 counties, Hickman ranks in the moderate-risk range with its composite score of 47.17. The county sits comfortably below the state average, suggesting fewer compounding natural hazards compared to higher-risk neighbors like Knox County.

Safer than nearby Jefferson County

Hickman's risk profile (47.17) compares favorably to Jefferson County (44.88), a neighboring area with higher flood and wildfire concerns. Both counties face similar earthquake risks above 80, but Hickman's tornado exposure at 82.19 is slightly elevated compared to regional peers.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead threats

Hickman County faces outsized earthquake risk (82.22) and tornado risk (82.19)—both significantly higher than the state average—making these the primary natural hazards to prepare for. Flood risk remains moderate at 46.79, while wildfire exposure stays low at just 11.96.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake prep

Given Hickman's high tornado and earthquake exposure, homeowners should ensure adequate liability and structural coverage in their policies and develop a family emergency plan. Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes earthquake damage, so a separate policy should be considered for added protection in this county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hickman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    82th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    47th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hickman County

Risk Verdict

Hickman County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 47th percentile across all U.S. counties. Hickman County residents can take confidence from a 47th 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 Hickman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (47th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 82th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Hickman County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Tornado at the 82th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Hickman County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Hickman County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Hickman County is 5.3 composite risk points below the Tennessee state mean, meaning most other Tennessee counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Hickman 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 Hickman County, TN?
Hickman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Hickman County?
Hickman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (82th percentile), tornado (82th percentile), flooding (47th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 82th 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 Hickman County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Hickman County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hickman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Hickman County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Hickman County's earthquake risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hickman County is at the 47th 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 Hickman County a safe place to live?
Hickman County's composite risk score of 47th 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 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hamblen County

Tennessee

-0.1

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Lake County

Tennessee

+0.7

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Cheatham County

Tennessee

-0.9

Relatively Low

46th 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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