Rutherford County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Rutherford County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.7, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $135M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 1.16 / yr | $25M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 5.26 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.52 / yr | $15M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $17M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.18 / yr | $71M |
| Lightning | High | 59.95 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.15 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.63 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $365K |
| Hail | Low | 3.59 / yr | $460K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $115K |
| Drought | Low | 16.43 / yr | $134K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $87 |
| 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 Rutherford County?
Rutherford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rutherford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $25M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Tornado (High, $15M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rutherford County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Rutherford County ranks #6 of 95 Tennessee counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Rutherford County's $135M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.