HazardFacts

All states › Tennessee › Lewis County

Natural hazard risk in Lewis County, Tennessee

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Very Low (score 13.9 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$5.4 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1975
22[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$477,000[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
13[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates overall natural hazard risk in Lewis County as Very Low, with a score of 13.9 out of 100[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are earthquake, tornado and landslide[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $5.4 million a year[1]. The hazards with the largest Expected Annual Loss values are tornado ($1.6 million a year), inland flooding ($1.5 million a year) and earthquake ($815,000 a year)[7]. Expected Annual Loss is an estimate of average yearly loss, and FEMA says the index is not meant to predict next year's damage[8]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability as Relatively Moderate, with a score of 44.5[9]. FEMA rates Community Resilience as Very Low, with a score of 12.4[10].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
EarthquakeRelatively Low$815,000[11]
TornadoRelatively Low$1.6 million[12]
LandslideVery Low$1,706[13]
Cold WaveRelatively Low$796,000[14]
HurricaneVery Low$23,000[15]
Strong WindRelatively Low$337,000[16]
Ice StormRelatively Low$35,000[17]
LightningRelatively Low$96,000[18]
Heat WaveVery Low$107,000[19]
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$22,000[20]
DroughtVery Low$5,112[21]
Inland FloodingVery Low$1.5 million[22]
WildfireVery Low$2,797[23]
HailVery Low$23,000[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Moderate44.5[9]
Community resilienceVery Low12.4[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Very Low compared with other US counties, with a score of 13.3[22]. OpenFEMA lists 14 residential flood insurance contracts in force as of 2026-08-03, a penetration rate of 0.2%[26]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 7.7% of homes are insured[26]. OpenFEMA records 19 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $477,000 in total[3]. To learn about the flood zone of a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[22] Very Low, $1.5 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 14 of 5,814 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 104, of which 8 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 19 filed, $477,000 paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 22 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lewis County since 1975[2]. By incident type, severe storm accounts for 16 and flood for 3[2]. The most recent is DR-4898-TN, a Severe Winter Storm declared 2026-02-06[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 13 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the most recent was on 2021-03-25[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lewis County, since 1975
Incident type Declarations
Severe Storm[2] 16
Flood[2] 3
Winter Storm[2] 2
Hurricane[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4898-TN[28] Severe Winter Storm 2026-02-06
EM-3635-TN[28] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
DR-4878-TN[28] Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding 2025-06-19
EM-3625-TN[28] Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding 2025-04-02
DR-4712-TN[28] Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornado 2023-05-17

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Earthquakes

Before

  • Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family and coworkers.
  • Sign up for earthquake alerts that can warn you before shaking starts.
  • Make a plan with an out-of-state contact and a place to meet if you get separated.
  • Anchor heavy items such as bookcases, refrigerators and water heaters, and keep heavy things on low shelves.
  • Consider earthquake insurance. Standard homeowners policies do not cover earthquake damage.

During

  • Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.
  • Indoors, stay where you are and avoid doorways. Outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.
  • If you are driving, pull over, stop and set the parking brake.

Source: Ready.gov, earthquakes

Tornadoes

Before

  • Learn the warning signs: a rotating funnel cloud, an approaching cloud of debris or a loud roar like a freight train.
  • Sign up for community warning systems and learn what your local sirens sound like.
  • Pick a safe spot, such as a safe room built to FEMA criteria or an ICC 500 storm shelter, and practice getting there.
  • Include your pets in the household emergency plan.
  • Keep supplies, food, water and medication in case you have to stay home for a long time.

During

  • Go right away to the safe place you picked in advance.
  • Protect your head and neck with your arms and stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • No place in a car is fully safe. If you can get lower than the road, leave the car and lie down there.

Source: Ready.gov, tornadoes

Questions people ask

Is Lewis County, Tennessee at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Very Low compared with other US counties[22]. FEMA estimates inland flooding Expected Annual Loss at $1.5 million a year[22]. A low rating does not mean a hazard cannot cause damage[8].
Does Lewis County have tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 13 tornadoes touching Lewis County from 1950 to 2024[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[12].
Is Lewis County at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with a score of 71.3[11]. This is the highest hazard score within the county[6].
How many disasters have been declared in Lewis County?
OpenFEMA lists 22 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lewis County since 1975[2].
How do I check the flood zone of an address in Lewis County?
Look up the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[27].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Lewis County is $5.4 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Very Low, score 14.4). Of this, buildings account for $2.5 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $2.9 million and... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 22 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Lewis County since 1975 (19 major disaster, 3 emergency or fire management). By incident type: severe storm 16, flood 3, winter storm 2, hurricane 1. Biological (such as COVID-19) and other non-natural... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 19 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Lewis County, 16 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $477,000 in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid). Years with... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 13 recorded tornadoes touched Lewis County. The strongest were rated EF3 (most recent of them on 2015-12-23). 1 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2021-03-25. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Lewis County is Very Low, with a Risk Index score of 13.9 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Lewis County are earthquake (71.3, Relatively Low), tornado (59.1, Relatively Low), landslide (54.3, Very Low). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores; FEMA's scores... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Lewis County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are tornado ($1.6 million a year), inland flooding ($1.5 million a year), earthquake ($815,000 a year), out of $5.4 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  8. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Lewis County is Relatively Moderate (score 44.5). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Lewis County is Very Low (score 12.4). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 71.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $815,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0036 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 59.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.6 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.23 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 54.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1,706 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 47.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $796,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 1.21 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 37.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $23,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.03 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the Atlantic Basin... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 36.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $337,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 5.3 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 32.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $35,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.73 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 28.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $96,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 60.42 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 27.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $107,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 5.63 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 25.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $22,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 4.74 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 21.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $5,112 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 13.82 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 13.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.5 million a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.75 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 9.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2,797 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0002 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Lewis County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 8.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $23,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 3.65 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Lewis County: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 14 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Lewis County, out of 5,814 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.2%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 104 residential structures and 8 contracts, a rate of 7.7%. OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  28. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.