riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Lawrence County Disaster Risk

Lawrence County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#27

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

57th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Lawrence County

Risk Verdict

Lawrence County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 70th 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

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Lawrence County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 89th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (57th), hurricane (55th), wildfire (14th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Lawrence County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Lawrence County is significantly riskier than the average county in Tennessee. Its composite risk score is 17.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lawrence County, TN?
Lawrence County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th 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 Lawrence County?
Lawrence County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (91th percentile), earthquake (89th percentile), flooding (57th percentile), hurricane (55th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 91th 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 Lawrence County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Lawrence County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lawrence County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Lawrence County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lawrence County's tornado risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lawrence County is at the 57th 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 Lawrence County higher risk than average?
Lawrence County's composite risk score of 70th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (91th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and hurricane 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

Bedford County

Tennessee

-0.4

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Roane County

Tennessee

-0.7

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Hardin County

Tennessee

+1.0

Relatively Low

71th 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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