Benton County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Benton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.1, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.19 / yr | $10K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.70 / yr | $89K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.55 / yr | $472K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.79 / yr | $297K |
| Lightning | Low | 57.95 / yr | $169K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $24K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.25 / yr | $34K |
| Drought | Low | 8.55 / yr | $23K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.02 / yr | $46K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Landslide (Low, $10K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Benton County ranks #66 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Benton County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.