Sullivan County Disaster Risk
Sullivan County, Tennessee
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
71th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#25
of 95 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
82th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sullivan County, Tennessee
Sullivan County faces elevated risks
Sullivan County's composite risk score of 71.47 exceeds the national average, earning a Relatively Low overall rating. This score reflects genuine exposure to multiple hazard types that deserve your attention and preparation.
Middle of the risk pack statewide
Sullivan County ranks at 71.47, slightly above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the moderate-risk group. You face more exposure than the safest counties but less than the state's highest-risk areas.
Higher risk than mountain neighbors
Sullivan County's 71.47 score is notably higher than nearby Unicoi County (10.59) and Union County (12.88), despite their proximity. Your location in the northern foothills exposes you to different hazard patterns than your higher-elevation neighbors.
Flooding and earthquakes drive risk
Flood risk stands at 81.62 and earthquake risk at 87.25, making these your primary concerns. Tornado risk is moderate at 47.23, while hurricane exposure is notable at 54.69 despite your inland location.
Invest in flood and earthquake coverage
Given your 81.62 flood risk, separate flood insurance is essential—it's not included in standard homeowners policies. Add earthquake coverage and ensure proper drainage around your foundation to mitigate water intrusion during heavy rainfall.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sullivan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sullivan County
Risk Verdict
Sullivan County's FEMA risk score places it at the 71th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Sullivan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (55th percentile), tornado (47th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 87th percentile nationally, Sullivan County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Sullivan County's flood risk at the 82th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Sullivan County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Tennessee county average is 19.0 composite points below Sullivan County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Sullivan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sullivan County, TN?
What types of natural hazards affect Sullivan County?
How does Sullivan County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Is Sullivan County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Sullivan County higher risk than average?
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.