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

Polk County Disaster Risk

Polk County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

31th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#72

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Polk County, Tennessee

Polk County maintains very low risk

Polk County's composite risk score of 31.17 falls well below the national average, placing it in the very low disaster exposure category. The county benefits from a relatively protected position against most major natural hazards.

Lower-risk county in Tennessee

Polk County scores 31.17 compared to Tennessee's state average of 52.45, ranking among the state's safer communities for natural disaster exposure. The county sits comfortably in the lower half of Tennessee's risk distribution.

Comparable to other low-risk areas

Polk County (31.17) maintains similar low risk to Overton County (22.23) and Perry County (33.40), though faces higher exposure than Pickett County (4.61). The county occupies the safer end of the regional risk spectrum.

Wildfire and earthquake are top concerns

Wildfire risk (75.64) represents Polk County's most significant hazard, driven by forest proximity and terrain, while earthquake risk (70.77) presents secondary concern. Tornado risk (50.67) and flood risk (42.56) complete the county's hazard profile.

Prioritize wildfire and earthquake coverage

Polk County homeowners should secure standard homeowners insurance and strongly consider supplemental wildfire coverage given the county's 75.64 risk score, particularly for properties in forested areas. Separate earthquake insurance is also prudent given the 70.77 seismic exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Polk County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    51th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Polk County

Risk Verdict

Polk County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 31th percentile nationally. Polk County's 31th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Polk County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (51th percentile), hurricane (46th percentile), flood (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 76th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Polk County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 71th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Polk County residents.

Regional Context

Polk County falls 21.3 points below Tennessee's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Polk 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 Polk County, TN?
Polk County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 31th 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 Polk County?
Polk County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (76th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), tornado (51th percentile), hurricane (46th percentile), flooding (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Polk County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Polk County's composite risk percentile is 31th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Polk County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Polk County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Polk County's wildfire risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Polk County is at the 43th 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 Polk County a safe place to live?
Polk County's composite risk score of 31th 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 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Stewart County

Tennessee

-1.8

Very Low

29th percentile

Perry County

Tennessee

+2.2

Very Low

33th percentile

Fentress County

Tennessee

-2.7

Very Low

28th 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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