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

Lake County Disaster Risk

Lake County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

48th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lake County, Tennessee

Lake County moderately below state risk

Lake County scores 47.84 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 in the relatively low category. This positioning reflects moderate natural hazard exposure, though concentrated in specific and severe disaster types.

Lower-risk among Tennessee counties

With a score of 47.84, Lake County ranks below the state average of 52.45 among Tennessee's 95 counties. The county experiences moderate overall risk but benefits from exceptionally low flood (8.84) and wildfire (1.81) exposure that offsets other hazards.

Unique profile compared to peers

Lake County (47.84) scores slightly higher than Hickman County (47.17) but maintains a very different hazard mix—featuring exceptional flood safety but dramatically higher earthquake risk (93.07 vs. 82.22). This unique profile makes Lake County's risk concentrated rather than distributed.

Earthquake dominates, floods minimal

Lake County faces exceptional earthquake risk at 93.07—among the highest in the state—overshadowing its remarkably low flood (8.84) and wildfire (1.81) exposure. Tornado risk (53.72) remains moderate, creating a concentrated rather than compound hazard profile.

Earthquake coverage is essential

Lake County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 93.07 earthquake risk score, as standard policies exclude seismic damage. The county's exceptional flood safety means flood insurance is less critical, but a comprehensive insurance review should still address all hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lake County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    29th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lake County

Risk Verdict

Lake County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 48th percentile across all U.S. counties. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Lake County's favorable 48th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Lake County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (29th percentile), flood (9th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 93th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Lake 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. The county's tornado risk at the 54th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For Lake 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

Lake County's composite risk score is within 4.6 points of the Tennessee county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Lake 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 Lake County, TN?
Lake 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 Lake County?
Lake County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (93th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), flooding (9th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 93th 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 Lake County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Lake 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 Lake County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Lake County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Lake County's earthquake risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lake County is at the 9th 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 Lake County a safe place to live?
Lake 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 93th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Humphreys County

Tennessee

+0.4

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Hickman County

Tennessee

-0.7

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Hamblen County

Tennessee

-0.7

Relatively Low

47th 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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