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

Humphreys County Disaster Risk

Humphreys County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

48th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Humphreys County, Tennessee

Humphreys sits just below state average

Humphreys County scores 48.25 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 and in the relatively low category nationally. This positioning reflects moderate, balanced hazard exposure across multiple disaster types.

Moderate risk among Tennessee counties

Humphreys County ranks in the middle tier of Tennessee's 95 counties with a score of 48.25, just beneath the state average. The county faces more natural hazard exposure than Houston or Jackson counties but significantly less than high-risk areas like Knox County.

Slightly riskier than Hickman County

Humphreys County (48.25) edges above Hickman County (47.17), its neighbor to the west, with notably higher hurricane risk (41.84 vs. 29.50) and earthquake risk (84.80 vs. 82.22). Both counties share similar tornado exposure in the low-80s range.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate

Humphreys County faces significant earthquake risk (84.80) and tornado risk (74.62), both well above the national average and requiring serious preparedness planning. Flood risk remains moderate at 45.99, while wildfire exposure stays low at 10.78.

Bundle coverage for multiple hazards

Homeowners in Humphreys County should verify tornado and wind coverage in their policies while adding separate earthquake protection given the county's 84.80 earthquake score. Multi-hazard preparedness—including safe rooms and emergency supplies—is essential for this county's risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Humphreys County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    46th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Humphreys County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Humphreys County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 48th percentile. A 48th percentile score positions Humphreys County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Humphreys County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (46th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 85th percentile nationally puts Humphreys County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Humphreys County's tornado risk at the 75th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Humphreys County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Humphreys County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Tennessee county average, with a 4.2-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Humphreys 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 Humphreys County, TN?
Humphreys County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 48th 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 Humphreys County?
Humphreys County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (85th percentile), tornado (75th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 85th 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 Humphreys County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Humphreys County's composite risk percentile is 48th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Humphreys County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Humphreys County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Humphreys County's earthquake risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Humphreys County is at the 46th 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 Humphreys County a safe place to live?
Humphreys County's composite risk score of 48th 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 85th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.