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

Weakley County Disaster Risk

Weakley County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

74th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#20

of 95 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Weakley County, Tennessee

Weakley County's elevated earthquake risk

Weakley County scores 74.05 on the composite risk scale, placing it significantly above Tennessee's state average of 52.45 in the 'Relatively Low' category. The county's risk is driven primarily by extreme earthquake exposure (95.74), one of the highest seismic vulnerability scores in the state.

Among Tennessee's most earthquake-prone

Weakley County ranks in the upper tier of Tennessee's 95 counties by composite risk, with its 74.05 score reflecting hazard exposure well above the state norm. The county's earthquake score of 95.74 places it among Tennessee's most seismically vulnerable communities.

Weakley's seismic distinction

Weakley County (74.05) faces substantially higher composite risk than neighboring Wayne County (42.97) and White County (38.55), though tornado and earthquake exposure patterns are shared across northwest Tennessee. The county's 95.74 earthquake score is notably elevated even compared to other counties in its region.

Earthquakes dominate Weakley's hazards

Earthquakes (95.74) and tornadoes (77.86) represent Weakley County's primary disaster threats, with seismic risk reaching near-maximum vulnerability levels. Flooding (21.88) and wildfires (13.77) pose minimal concern, while hurricane risk (47.60) remains below state averages.

Earthquake insurance is essential

Weakley County residents must prioritize earthquake insurance, given the county's exceptional 95.74 seismic vulnerability score. Paired with tornado preparedness planning, earthquake coverage represents the most critical protection investment for properties in this high-risk seismic zone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Weakley County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    48th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Weakley County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Weakley County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 74th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Weakley County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Weakley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (48th percentile), flood (22th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 96th percentile nationally puts Weakley County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Tornado at the 78th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Weakley County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Weakley County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Weakley County is 21.6 composite risk points above the Tennessee average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Weakley 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 Weakley County, TN?
Weakley County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 74th 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 Weakley County?
Weakley County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (96th percentile), tornado (78th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), flooding (22th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 96th 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 Weakley County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Weakley County's composite risk percentile is 74th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Weakley County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Weakley County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Weakley County's earthquake risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Weakley County is at the 22th 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 Weakley County higher risk than average?
Weakley County's composite risk score of 74th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (96th percentile), along with tornado 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

Blount County

Tennessee

+0.1

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Bradley County

Tennessee

-0.6

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Anderson County

Tennessee

-0.9

Relatively Low

73th 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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