Marshall County

Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

45.4

National percentile: 45th

Marshall County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.4, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $20M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 34K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Tornado
Medium $5M/yr
Earthquake
Low $2M/yr
Cold Wave
Medium $3M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Tornado Medium 0.34 / yr $5M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $2M
Cold Wave Medium 1.11 / yr $3M
Strong Wind Medium 6.57 / yr $821K
Riverine Flood Low 1.36 / yr $9M
Ice Storm Low 0.68 / yr $108K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $60K
Winter Weather Low 4.68 / yr $63K
Lightning Low 60.99 / yr $195K
Hail Very Low 3.92 / yr $187K
Heat Wave Very Low 4.53 / yr $217K
Landslide Very Low 0.26 / yr $393
Drought Very Low 26.17 / yr $26K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $11K
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 Marshall County?

Marshall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Marshall County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Marshall County compare to other Tennessee counties?

Marshall County ranks #60 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. Marshall County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.