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

Warren County Disaster Risk

Warren County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

57th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% 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

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Tennessee

Warren County's disaster risk profile

Warren County scores 63.45 on the composite risk scale, placing it above Tennessee's state average of 52.45 and in the 'Relatively Low' risk category. This means the county faces greater natural hazard exposure than most of its state, though remains well below the highest-risk counties nationally.

Risk ranking among Tennessee counties

Warren County ranks in the middle tier of Tennessee's 95 counties by composite risk. Its 63.45 score puts it above average for the state, positioning it among the counties where disaster preparedness is a meaningful priority.

Comparing Warren to neighboring counties

Warren County's risk (63.45) is notably higher than nearby Wayne County (42.97) and White County (38.55), but lower than Williamson County (85.15) to the north. This variation reflects Warren's distinct exposure to earthquake and tornado hazards, even as nearby counties face different risk profiles.

Warren's top two disaster threats

Tornadoes (84.96) and earthquakes (83.11) dominate Warren County's risk profile, with both scores well above the state average. While floods (56.97) and hurricanes (53.53) pose secondary concerns, the county's vulnerability to sudden seismic and wind events demands particular attention from residents and planners.

Safeguard your property today

Warren County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance and verify tornado shelter readiness, given the county's elevated exposure to both hazards. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake coverage, making separate policies essential for comprehensive protection in this risk environment.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Warren County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    57th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Warren County

Risk Verdict

Warren County's FEMA risk score places it at the 63th 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

Tornado risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (57th percentile), hurricane (54th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 85th percentile nationally makes Warren County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Warren County at the 83th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. In Warren County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The Tennessee county average is 11.0 composite points below Warren County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Warren 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 Warren County, TN?
Warren County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Warren County?
Warren County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (85th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), flooding (57th percentile), hurricane (54th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 85th 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 Warren County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Warren County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Warren County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Warren County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Warren County's tornado risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Warren County is at the 57th 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 Warren County higher risk than average?
Warren County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (85th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Coffee County

Tennessee

+0.1

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Carter County

Tennessee

-0.3

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Henderson County

Tennessee

-0.3

Relatively Low

63th 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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