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

Marshall County Disaster Risk

Marshall County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

45th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Marshall County, Tennessee

Marshall County's moderate risk profile

Marshall County's composite risk score of 45.42 places it below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, indicating relatively low overall disaster risk. This rating suggests the county faces fewer compounded hazards compared to the typical U.S. county, though localized risks remain worth monitoring.

Below average risk in Tennessee

Among Tennessee's counties, Marshall County ranks in the lower half for composite disaster risk at 45.42, considerably safer than high-risk peers like Montgomery County. Its risk profile is driven more by seismic and tornado exposure than by flood or wildfire concerns.

Safer than surrounding counties

Marshall County's risk score of 45.42 is notably lower than neighboring Maury County (79.29) and McMinn County (60.24), making it one of the quieter regions in its part of the state. Adjacent McNairy County (50.54) poses slightly higher risk, while Marshall remains a relative refuge.

Earthquakes and tornadoes loom largest

Marshall County faces its highest earthquake risk at 75.80 and tornado risk at 76.24—both well above the state baseline. While flood risk (49.75) and wildfire risk (20.83) remain manageable, the combination of seismic and severe weather events deserves preparation and awareness.

Secure coverage for seismic and wind events

Given Marshall County's elevated earthquake and tornado exposure, homeowners should ensure their policies include earthquake coverage and verify wind/hail protections. Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes earthquakes, making a separate policy a smart investment in this county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Marshall County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Marshall County

Risk Verdict

Marshall County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 45th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. At the 45th percentile, Marshall County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Marshall County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (50th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Marshall County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 76th percentile nationally. For Marshall County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Marshall County at the 76th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Marshall County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Tennessee county average exceeds Marshall County's score by 7.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Marshall 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 Marshall County, TN?
Marshall County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 45th 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 Marshall County?
Marshall County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (76th percentile), earthquake (76th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 76th 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 Marshall County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Marshall County's composite risk percentile is 45th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Marshall County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Marshall County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Marshall County's tornado risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Marshall County is at the 50th 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 Marshall County a safe place to live?
Marshall County's composite risk score of 45th 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 tornado at the 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jefferson County

Tennessee

-0.5

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Cheatham County

Tennessee

+0.9

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Chester County

Tennessee

-0.9

Relatively Low

44th 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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