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

Stewart County Disaster Risk

Stewart County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#73

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stewart County, Tennessee

Stewart County's natural disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 29.36, Stewart County sits well below the national average and carries a Very Low overall rating. Your county faces significantly less disaster risk than most of the country, though some hazard types warrant attention.

Safest county in Tennessee

Stewart County ranks among Tennessee's safest counties for natural disasters, with a score 44% below the state average of 52.45. This puts you in the lowest-risk tier statewide, ahead of nearly all your neighbors.

Much safer than adjacent counties

Stewart County's 29.36 score is significantly lower than nearby Montgomery County (state average exposure) and Houston County. Your relative isolation from major flood plains and tornado corridors keeps risk notably manageable compared to surrounding areas.

Earthquakes and tornadoes top concerns

Earthquake risk (82.57) and tornado risk (64.98) are your two highest hazard scores, though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Flood risk is relatively low at 22.81, and wildfire poses minimal concern at just 7.60.

Focus coverage on earthquake safety

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover earthquakes or tornadoes, so consider a separate earthquake policy given your 82.57 earthquake score. Ensure your roof is properly anchored and review your emergency plan for severe weather events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stewart County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    23th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Stewart County

Risk Verdict

At the 29th percentile nationally, Stewart County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Stewart County residents can take confidence from a 29th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Stewart County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (23th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Stewart County ranks at the 83th 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. The county's tornado risk at the 65th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Stewart 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

A composite score 23.1 points below the Tennessee state average puts Stewart County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Stewart 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 Stewart County, TN?
Stewart County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Stewart County?
Stewart County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (83th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 83th 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 Stewart County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Stewart County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Stewart County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Stewart County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Stewart County's earthquake risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Stewart County is at the 23th 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 Stewart County a safe place to live?
Stewart County's composite risk score of 29th 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 83th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.