Sullivan County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Sullivan County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.5, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $105K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.25 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 50.28 / yr | $911K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $20M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.69 / yr | $80K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $113K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $859K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.07 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Hail | Low | 3.03 / yr | $145K |
| Drought | Very Low | 13.71 / yr | $20K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.07 / yr | $26K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $51K |
| 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 Sullivan County?
Sullivan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sullivan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $105K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sullivan County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Sullivan County ranks #25 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. Sullivan County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.