Decatur County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Decatur County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.4, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 12.26 / yr | $298K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.34 / yr | $370K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $39K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.90 / yr | $788 |
| Lightning | Low | 58.65 / yr | $104K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.50 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Very Low | 9.09 / yr | $16K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.67 / yr | $16K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.95 / yr | $7K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.13 / yr | $13K |
| 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 Decatur County?
Decatur County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Decatur County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Decatur County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Decatur County ranks #68 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. Decatur County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.