riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Wilson County Disaster Risk

Wilson County, Tennessee

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

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 37% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Wilson County

Risk Verdict

Wilson County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 80th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Wilson County, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 86th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (82th), hurricane (39th), wildfire (37th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Wilson County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Wilson County is significantly riskier than the average county in Tennessee. Its composite risk score is 27.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Wilson County, TN?
Wilson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 80th 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 Wilson County?
Wilson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (89th percentile), tornado (86th percentile), flooding (82th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile), wildfire (37th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 89th 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 Wilson County risk compare to the Tennessee average?
Wilson County's composite risk percentile is 80th, compared to the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wilson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Tennessee.
Is Wilson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Wilson County's earthquake risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wilson County is at the 82th 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 Wilson County higher risk than average?
Wilson County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Tennessee state average of 53th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (89th percentile), along with tornado and flooding 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

Maury County

Tennessee

-0.7

Relatively Low

79th percentile

Tipton County

Tennessee

+1.0

Relatively Moderate

81th percentile

Obion County

Tennessee

+1.3

Relatively Moderate

81th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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