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

Loudon County Disaster Risk

Loudon County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

68th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Loudon County, Tennessee

Loudon County carries above-average risk

Loudon County scores 68.35 on the composite risk index with a Relatively Low rating, nearly 16 points above Tennessee's average of 52.45. The county's risk profile is distinctive for elevated flood exposure alongside earthquake and tornado vulnerabilities.

Upper-third risk ranking statewide

Loudon County ranks in the upper third of Tennessee counties for natural disaster risk. Its above-average composite score reflects particular vulnerability to flooding and seismic activity.

Riskier due to flood exposure

Loudon County's flood risk of 71.63 significantly exceeds nearby Knox and Anderson counties, making it the wettest threat zone in east Tennessee. Its earthquake risk of 89.69 also surpasses most regional neighbors.

Floods are your top priority

Flooding is Loudon County's dominant natural disaster threat at 71.63, substantially higher than state averages and regional neighbors. Tornadoes (66.95) and earthquakes (89.69) pose secondary but meaningful risks requiring attention.

Flood insurance is non-negotiable

Flood insurance is essential in Loudon County—don't rely on standard homeowners coverage to protect against water damage. Add earthquake insurance and verify windstorm coverage to address your full hazard spectrum.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Loudon County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    67th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Loudon County

Risk Verdict

Loudon County ranks at the 68th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Loudon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (67th percentile), hurricane (53th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Loudon County ranks at the 90th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Flood at the 72th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Loudon County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Loudon County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Tennessee counties, Loudon County runs 15.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Loudon 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 Loudon County, TN?
Loudon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 68th 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 Loudon County?
Loudon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (90th percentile), flooding (72th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), hurricane (53th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 90th 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 Loudon County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Loudon County's composite risk percentile is 68th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Loudon County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Loudon County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Loudon County's earthquake risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Loudon County is at the 72th 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 Loudon County higher risk than average?
Loudon County's composite risk score of 68th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (90th percentile), along with flooding and tornado 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

Roane County

Tennessee

+0.6

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Bedford County

Tennessee

+0.9

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Cumberland County

Tennessee

-1.1

Relatively Low

67th 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.

Explore more data for Loudon County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score