Williamson County

Tennessee — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

85.1

National percentile: 85th

Williamson County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.1, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $98M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $98M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 248K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
High $13M/yr
Earthquake
Low $8M/yr
Strong Wind
High $3M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave High 1.16 / yr $13M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $8M
Strong Wind High 6.11 / yr $3M
Tornado Medium 0.51 / yr $12M
Riverine Flood Medium 2.18 / yr $57M
Winter Weather Medium 5.16 / yr $469K
Ice Storm High 0.62 / yr $1M
Heat Wave Low 4.95 / yr $2M
Landslide Very Low 0.86 / yr $3K
Lightning Low 60.55 / yr $468K
Hail Low 3.50 / yr $332K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $55K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $45K
Drought Low 9.57 / yr $77K
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 Williamson County?

Williamson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Williamson County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $13M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $8M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Williamson County compare to other Tennessee counties?

Williamson County ranks #11 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. Williamson County's $98M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.