Natural Disaster Risk in Blount County

Natural Hazard Profile: Blount County, Tennessee

Blount County, in the United States in Tennessee, is characterized by its humid subtropical climate — hot summers, mild winters, and transitional weather patterns. The county faces tornado risk in both spring and fall, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

Blount County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.7/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include earthquake and lightning.

Within Tennessee, Blount County's risk is, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Blount County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by earthquake and lightning. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Blount County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.