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

Morgan County Disaster Risk

Morgan County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#82

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morgan County, Tennessee

Morgan County faces very low disaster risk

Morgan County's composite risk score of 19.05 places it well below the national average, meaning residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans. This very low rating reflects a relatively protected geography across multiple hazard types.

Among Tennessee's safest counties

Morgan County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Tennessee, with a composite score of 19.05 compared to the state average of 52.45. This places the county in the bottom tier of disaster exposure across the state.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Morgan County's risk profile is notably lower than neighboring Obion County (81.30) and similar to Overton County (22.23). Adjacent Perry County presents slightly elevated risk at 33.40, making Morgan County one of the safest locations in the region.

Wildfire and earthquake are top concerns

Wildfire risk (63.55) and earthquake risk (58.30) are Morgan County's highest hazards, though both remain manageable compared to national averages. Tornado risk (39.28) represents a moderate but secondary concern for residents.

Ensure coverage for regional hazards

While Morgan County's overall risk is low, homeowners should maintain standard property insurance and consider supplemental wildfire or earthquake coverage given regional geology and forest proximity. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude both earthquake and wildfire damage, making separate policies wise investments.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morgan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    39th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Morgan County

Risk Verdict

Morgan County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 19th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 19th percentile nationally, Morgan County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Morgan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (39th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), flood (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Morgan County's primary hazard at the 64th percentile nationally. For Morgan County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 58th percentile nationally means Morgan County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Morgan County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Tennessee county average, Morgan County's composite score runs 33.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Morgan 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 Morgan County, TN?
Morgan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Morgan County?
Morgan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), tornado (39th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), flooding (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Morgan County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Morgan County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Morgan County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Morgan County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Morgan County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Morgan County is at the 26th 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 Morgan County a safe place to live?
Morgan County's composite risk score of 19th 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 wildfire at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Smith County

Tennessee

-0.3

Very Low

19th percentile

Grainger County

Tennessee

-0.4

Very Low

19th percentile

Overton County

Tennessee

+3.2

Very Low

22th 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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