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

Scott County Disaster Risk

Scott County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#76

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

29th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Scott County, Tennessee

Scott County ranks among America's safest

Scott County scores just 26.11 on composite risk—a Very Low rating and roughly 48% below the national average. This places Scott in the safest 10% of American counties for natural disaster exposure. While no location is risk-free, Scott residents benefit from one of the nation's most favorable geographic positions.

One of Tennessee's lowest-risk counties

At 26.11, Scott ranks among the bottom 5% of Tennessee's 95 counties for composite risk, scoring just 50% of the state average (52.45). This exceptional safety reflects Scott's Appalachian terrain and distance from major flood corridors and tornado alleys. Only a handful of Tennessee counties score lower.

Safest county in its region

Scott (26.11) significantly outperforms neighboring counties and rivals Smith County (18.77) for the state's lowest composite risk. Its wildfire risk (68.83) stands elevated relative to neighbors, but other hazards remain well-controlled. Scott residents enjoy an uncommonly safe position in East Tennessee's natural hazard landscape.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Scott's wildfire risk of 68.83 is the highest of its five tracked hazards, reflecting dense forest coverage and Appalachian terrain susceptible to fire spread. Tornado risk (46.79) remains below state average, while flood (29.17), earthquake (57.32), and hurricane (43.85) risks are all modest. Wildfire prevention and property defensibility should drive Scott's preparedness focus.

Keep wildfire risk in focus

Verify your homeowners policy covers wildfire damage and maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around structures, clearing dead vegetation and overhanging branches. Standard coverage typically includes wildfire, but review your policy's specific limits and exclusions. While Scott's overall risk remains low, wildfire preparation protects your biggest vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Scott County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    47th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Scott County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Scott County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 26th percentile. The 26th percentile national ranking is one lens; Scott County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Scott County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (47th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), flood (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 69th percentile nationally for wildfire, Scott County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 57th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Scott County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Scott County is 26.3 composite risk points below the Tennessee state mean, meaning most other Tennessee counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Scott 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 Scott County, TN?
Scott County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Scott County?
Scott County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (69th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), tornado (47th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), flooding (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 69th 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 Scott County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Scott County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Scott County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Scott County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Scott County's wildfire risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Scott County is at the 29th 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 Scott County a safe place to live?
Scott County's composite risk score of 26th 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 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

DeKalb County

Tennessee

-0.6

Very Low

25th percentile

Bledsoe County

Tennessee

-2.0

Very Low

24th percentile

Johnson County

Tennessee

+2.1

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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