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

Robertson County Disaster Risk

Robertson County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

60th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Robertson County, Tennessee

Robertson's risk remains below national average

Robertson County scores 60.43 on composite risk—a Relatively Low rating and roughly 15% lower than the national average. This places Robertson among the safer American counties for natural disaster exposure. However, one specific hazard drives elevated risk in certain conditions.

Below average risk for Tennessee

At 60.43, Robertson sits 15% below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, making it one of the lower-risk counties statewide. This favorable comparison reflects the county's rolling Middle Tennessee terrain and relatively stable weather patterns. However, tornadoes remain a persistent threat across the region.

Among the safer counties in Middle Tennessee

Robertson (60.43) ranks safer than neighboring Rutherford (91.73) but carries similar or slightly higher risk than adjacent counties in the region. Its tornado risk of 73.22 aligns with Tennessee's statewide tornado exposure, while wildfire risk (23.57) remains one of the state's lowest. Robertson residents enjoy relative safety compared to counties in East Tennessee and the southwest.

Tornadoes and earthquakes drive exposure

Robertson's tornado risk reaches 73.22—well above the state average—making spring and early summer particularly hazardous. Earthquake risk (88.74) is surprisingly high, though major quakes remain rare; flood risk (53.12) affects areas near waterways and low-lying terrain. Tornado preparedness should be the top priority for Robertson households.

Prepare for tornadoes, secure broader coverage

Ensure your homeowners policy explicitly covers tornado and wind damage, and verify your liability limits meet current home values in Robertson. Develop and practice a family tornado plan, including a designated safe room away from windows. Consider earthquake and flood insurance as secondary protections, especially if your property sits on or near floodplain areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Robertson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    73th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    53th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Robertson County

Risk Verdict

Robertson County ranks at the 60th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Robertson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (53th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Robertson County ranks at the 89th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Tornado at the 73th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Robertson County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Robertson County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Tennessee counties, Robertson County runs 8.0 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Robertson 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 Robertson County, TN?
Robertson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 60th 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 Robertson County?
Robertson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (89th percentile), tornado (73th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 89th 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 Robertson County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Robertson County's composite risk percentile is 60th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Robertson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Robertson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Robertson County's earthquake risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Robertson County is at the 53th 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 Robertson County higher risk than average?
Robertson County's composite risk score of 60th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (89th percentile), along with tornado and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.