Cheatham County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Cheatham County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.3, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $211K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Low | 3.28 / yr | $312K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.89 / yr | $359K |
| Lightning | Low | 58.11 / yr | $232K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.87 / yr | $545K |
| Drought | Low | 5.45 / yr | $39K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.84 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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 Cheatham County?
Cheatham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cheatham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $211K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cheatham County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Cheatham County ranks #59 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Cheatham County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.