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

Wayne County Disaster Risk

Wayne County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#63

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wayne County, Tennessee

Wayne County's favorable risk position

Wayne County scores 42.97 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 in the 'Relatively Low' category. The county faces lower natural disaster exposure than most of Tennessee, positioning it among the state's safer communities.

Tennessee's lower-risk counties

Wayne County ranks in the lower-risk quartile of Tennessee's 95 counties, with a composite score substantially below the state median. This favorable positioning reflects moderate exposure across most hazard types and minimal wildfire risk.

Wayne County's protective geography

Wayne County (42.97) enjoys significantly lower risk than nearby Warren County (63.45) and Washington County (61.16), approaching the even-safer profile of White County (38.55). This cluster of lower-risk counties in south-central Tennessee offers residents relatively stable natural hazard conditions.

Wayne's moderate hazard exposures

Tornadoes (73.89) and earthquakes (77.54) pose Wayne County's primary risks, though both remain below the state average. Flooding (47.74) represents a secondary concern, while the county's extremely low wildfire risk (12.15) is a distinct advantage compared to other Tennessee counties.

Disaster preparedness for Wayne County

Wayne County residents should focus on tornado preparedness and basic earthquake safety, given the county's moderate exposure to both hazards. While the county's overall risk is favorable, having a household emergency plan and secure shelter space remains essential for protection during severe weather events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wayne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    51th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wayne County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 43th, Wayne County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Wayne County residents can take confidence from a 43th 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 Wayne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (51th percentile), flood (48th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 78th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Wayne County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Wayne County's tornado risk at the 74th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Wayne County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Wayne County falls 9.5 points below Tennessee's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Wayne 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 Wayne County, TN?
Wayne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 43th 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (78th percentile), tornado (74th percentile), hurricane (51th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 78th 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 Wayne County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Wayne County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wayne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Wayne County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Wayne County's earthquake risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wayne County is at the 48th 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 Wayne County a safe place to live?
Wayne County's composite risk score of 43th 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 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Claiborne County

Tennessee

-0.2

Relatively Low

43th percentile

Chester County

Tennessee

+1.5

Relatively Low

44th percentile

Jefferson County

Tennessee

+1.9

Relatively Low

45th 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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