Unicoi County
Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Unicoi County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.6, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.58 / yr | $21K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.47 / yr | $183K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.26 / yr | $666K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $169K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.15 / yr | $268K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.21 / yr | $26K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 17.22 / yr | $14K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $165K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $19K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 23.30 / 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 Unicoi County?
Unicoi County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Unicoi County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $21K EAL), Lightning (Low, $183K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $666K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Unicoi County compare to other Tennessee counties?
Unicoi County ranks #91 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. Unicoi County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.