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

Maury County Disaster Risk

Maury County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

79th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#16

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Maury County, Tennessee

Maury County faces above-average risk

Maury County's composite risk score of 79.29 significantly exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the higher-risk category for natural disasters. This elevated profile reflects multiple concurrent hazard exposures that residents should take seriously.

Third-highest risk county in Tennessee

Maury County ranks among Tennessee's highest-risk counties, with only a handful of counties—primarily Montgomery County—exceeding its hazard exposure. This standing underscores the county's vulnerability to compound disaster scenarios.

The riskiest county in its region

Maury County (79.29) stands out dramatically compared to neighboring Marshall County (45.42), McNairy County (50.54), and Monroe County (60.91). Its risk profile is substantially higher than immediate peers, making it a local hotspot for disaster preparedness concerns.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate

Maury County's tornado risk of 93.96 ranks among the highest in Tennessee, while earthquake risk at 89.82 adds serious ground instability concerns. Flood risk at 74.55 rounds out a dangerous combination, particularly during spring severe weather seasons.

Multi-hazard insurance is essential

Maury County residents should prioritize comprehensive coverage including earthquake insurance, flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, and robust wind/hail protection. Storm shelters or safe rooms are critical given the county's severe tornado exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Maury County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Maury County

Risk Verdict

Maury County ranks at the 79th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Maury County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (75th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Maury County ranks at the 94th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Maury County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 90th percentile nationally means Maury County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Maury County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other Tennessee counties, Maury County runs 26.8 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Maury 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 Maury County, TN?
Maury County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 79th 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 Maury County?
Maury County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (94th percentile), earthquake (90th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 94th 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 Maury County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Maury County's composite risk percentile is 79th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Maury County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Maury County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Maury County's tornado risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Maury County is at the 75th 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 Maury County higher risk than average?
Maury County's composite risk score of 79th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (94th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding 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

Wilson County

Tennessee

+0.7

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Tipton County

Tennessee

+1.7

Relatively Moderate

81th percentile

Sevier County

Tennessee

-1.9

Relatively Low

77th 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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