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

Smith County Disaster Risk

Smith County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#83

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Smith County, Tennessee

Smith County ranks among America's safest

Smith County scores just 18.77 on composite risk—a Very Low rating and roughly 62% below the national average. This exceptional score places Smith in the safest 5% of American counties for natural disaster exposure. Smith residents enjoy geographic advantages that shield them from most major hazards.

Tennessee's lowest-risk county

At 18.77, Smith County ranks as the single lowest-risk county in all of Tennessee, scoring just 36% of the state average (52.45). This commanding advantage over 94 peers reflects Smith's location in stable Middle Tennessee terrain, far from major hazard corridors. Smith's profile is exceptionally favorable by any standard.

Safest in Middle Tennessee by far

Smith (18.77) significantly outperforms Robertson (60.43) and nearly matches Scott County (26.11) for the state's absolute lowest composite risk. Its wildfire risk (5.88) is vanishingly low—the state's absolute minimum—while all other hazard categories remain well-controlled. Smith occupies a uniquely sheltered position in Tennessee's natural hazard landscape.

Tornado risk is the primary concern

Smith's highest hazard is tornado risk at 49.84, which remains well below state average and poses only modest concern. Flood risk (31.62) affects limited areas, while earthquake (50.57), hurricane (23.11), and wildfire (5.88) risks are all minimal. Smith County presents one of the nation's most forgiving natural disaster environments.

Standard coverage meets your needs

A standard homeowners policy covering tornado and wind damage provides adequate protection for Smith County's low-hazard profile. No flood insurance is needed for most properties, and earthquake coverage is optional rather than essential. Review your policy every few years to ensure limits keep pace with home value growth, and maintain basic emergency preparedness habits.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Smith County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    32th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Smith County

Risk Verdict

Smith County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 19th percentile nationally. Smith County's 19th 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

Earthquake risk is Smith County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (32th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Smith County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Tornado at the 50th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Smith County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Smith County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Tennessee county average exceeds Smith County's score by 33.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Smith 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 Smith County, TN?
Smith 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 Smith County?
Smith County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (51th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 51th 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 Smith County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Smith 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 Smith County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Smith County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Smith County's earthquake risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Smith County is at the 32th 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 Smith County a safe place to live?
Smith 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 earthquake at the 51th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Grainger County

Tennessee

-0.2

Very Low

19th percentile

Morgan County

Tennessee

+0.3

Very Low

19th percentile

Overton County

Tennessee

+3.5

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.

Explore more data for Smith County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score