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

McNairy County Disaster Risk

McNairy County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

51th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% 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 57% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in McNairy County, Tennessee

McNairy County near state average risk

McNairy County's composite risk score of 50.54 closely mirrors Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it squarely in the relatively low-to-moderate hazard range. This balanced profile suggests moderate but not extreme disaster vulnerability.

Average risk profile for Tennessee

McNairy County's risk score positions it near the middle of Tennessee's county rankings, with many counties above and below its exposure level. Its hazard mix reflects the state's typical vulnerability pattern without extreme concentration in any single threat.

Less risky than Maury, more than Marshall

McNairy County (50.54) ranks below high-risk neighbors like Maury County (79.29) and Monroe County (60.91), but slightly higher than Marshall County (45.42). Its risk profile places it comfortably in the middle ground of the region.

Earthquake and hurricane risks stand out

McNairy County faces its highest hazard exposure from earthquakes at 90.27 and hurricanes at 57.28, reflecting the county's seismic vulnerability and distance-based storm exposure. Tornado risk (60.27) and flood risk (33.30) complete a moderate but diverse threat landscape.

Prioritize earthquake and wind coverage

McNairy County residents should ensure earthquake insurance is part of their protection strategy, given the county's 90.27 seismic risk score. Wind and hurricane coverage, while less critical than in coastal areas, should be included in comprehensive homeowners policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in McNairy County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    60th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    57th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: McNairy County

Risk Verdict

McNairy County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 51th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind McNairy County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is McNairy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (57th percentile), flood (33th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 90th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, McNairy 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. Alongside earthquake exposure, McNairy County's tornado risk at the 60th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For McNairy 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

McNairy County's composite risk score is within 1.9 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 McNairy 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 McNairy County, TN?
McNairy County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 51th 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 McNairy County?
McNairy County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (90th percentile), tornado (60th percentile), hurricane (57th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), wildfire (27th 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 McNairy County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
McNairy County's composite risk percentile is 51th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means McNairy County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is McNairy County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, McNairy County's earthquake risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, McNairy County is at the 33th 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 McNairy County a safe place to live?
McNairy County's composite risk score of 51th 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 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Rhea County

Tennessee

-1.4

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Crockett County

Tennessee

+2.0

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Humphreys County

Tennessee

-2.3

Relatively Low

48th 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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