Hancock County

Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

11.9

National percentile: 12th

Hancock County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.9, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $3M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 7K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Landslide
Medium $37K/yr
Wildfire
Very Low $26K/yr
Earthquake
Very Low $114K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Landslide Medium 0.84 / yr $37K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $26K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $114K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.43 / yr $2M
Strong Wind Low 4.74 / yr $171K
Cold Wave Low 1.00 / yr $243K
Drought Very Low 16.21 / yr $9K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $6K
Hail Very Low 2.92 / yr $48K
Lightning Very Low 51.94 / yr $44K
Winter Weather Very Low 8.32 / yr $11K
Tornado Very Low 0.05 / yr $139K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.15 / yr $6K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.16 / yr $2K
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 Hancock County?

Hancock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Hancock County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $37K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $26K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $114K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Hancock County compare to other Tennessee counties?

Hancock County ranks #90 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. Hancock County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.