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Natural hazard risk in Washington County, Tennessee

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

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 61.1 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$22.6 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1973
14[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$6.1 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
9[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Washington County an overall natural hazard rating of Relatively Low compared with other US counties[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are landslide, strong wind and lightning[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's National Risk Index estimates $22.6 million a year in Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Washington County[1]. This is a FEMA estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid. FEMA's largest hazard-type values are inland flooding at $14.1 million a year, earthquake at $2.6 million a year and strong wind at $1.8 million a year[7]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Relatively Low[8]. FEMA describes this as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause[8]. FEMA rates Community Resilience Relatively High, which it describes as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[9].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
LandslideRelatively Moderate$45,000[10]
Strong WindRelatively High$1.8 million[11]
LightningRelatively High$1.0 million[12]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$2.6 million[13]
Inland FloodingRelatively Low$14.1 million[14]
Ice StormRelatively Moderate$169,000[15]
HurricaneVery Low$135,000[16]
Cold WaveRelatively Low$1.1 million[17]
TornadoRelatively Low$1.3 million[18]
DroughtRelatively Low$131,000[19]
WildfireVery Low$31,000[20]
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$45,000[21]
HailRelatively Low$170,000[22]
Heat WaveVery Low$45,000[23]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[24].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

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

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low36.7[8]
Community resilienceRelatively High71.9[9]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[14]. OpenFEMA data as of 2026-08-03 lists 204 residential flood insurance contracts in force in the county[25]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 17.7% of homes are insured[25]. OpenFEMA's NFIP claims show 152 claims filed for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $6.1 million in total[3]. To check a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[26].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[14] Relatively Low, $14.1 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[25] 204 of 49,300 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[25] 519, of which 92 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 152 filed, $6.1 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[26]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 14 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Washington County since 1973[2]. The most recent listed is a Severe Winter Storm declared 2026-02-06[27]. NOAA's tornado database records 9 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2014-07-27[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Washington County, since 1973
Incident type Declarations
Severe Storm[2] 5
Winter Storm[2] 3
Tropical Storm[2] 2
Flood[2] 2
Hurricane[2] 1
Snowstorm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4898-TN[27] Severe Winter Storm 2026-02-06
EM-3635-TN[27] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
EM-3625-TN[27] Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding 2025-04-02
DR-4832-TN[27] Tropical Storm Helene 2024-10-02
EM-3620-TN[27] Tropical Storm Helene 2024-09-27

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.

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

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

Questions people ask

Is Washington County, Tennessee at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[14]. FEMA's Expected Annual Loss from inland flooding is $14.1 million a year, the largest of any hazard type in the county[7].
Does Washington County get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 9 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[18].
Is Washington County at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[13]. FEMA lists $2.6 million a year in Expected Annual Loss from earthquakes[13].
How many disasters have been declared in Washington County?
OpenFEMA lists 14 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1973[2].
How do I check the flood zone of an address in Washington County?
Look up the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[26]. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of a single address[26].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Washington County is $22.6 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 64.6). Of this, buildings account for $16.5 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $5.8... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 14 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Washington County since 1973 (9 major disaster, 5 emergency or fire management). By incident type: severe storm 5, winter storm 3, tropical storm 2, flood 2, hurricane 1, snowstorm 1. Biological (such as... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 152 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Washington County, 124 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $6.1 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 9 recorded tornadoes touched Washington County. The strongest were rated EF3 (most recent of them on 2011-04-27). 2 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2014-07-27. 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 Washington County is Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 61.1 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 Washington County are landslide (87.9, Relatively Moderate), strong wind (87.5, Relatively High), lightning (87.1, Relatively High). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Washington County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($14.1 million a year), earthquake ($2.6 million a year), strong wind ($1.8 million a year), out of $22.6 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  8. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Washington County is Relatively Low (score 36.7). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Washington County is Relatively High (score 71.9). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 87.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $45,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 87.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.8 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 3.19 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 87.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.0 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 51.21 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 83.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.6 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0024 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 71.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $14.1 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 1.14 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 64.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $169,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.18 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Washington County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 55.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $135,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.02 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the... FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 52.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.1 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.84 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 50.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.3 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.06 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 48.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $131,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 16.73 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Washington County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 42.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $31,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0012 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 38.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $45,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 7.69 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Washington County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 37.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $170,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 3.21 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Washington County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 16.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $45,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.11 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Washington 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... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  25. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 204 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Washington County, out of 49,300 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.4%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 519 residential structures and 92 contracts, a... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  26. 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
  27. 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.