Natural Disaster Risk in Chapel Hill
Tennessee
Risk Summary for Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill scores 5.2/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Chapel Hill, Tennessee
Chapel Hill, in Marshall County, is a town of roughly 8,867 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings hot summers, mild winters, and transitional weather patterns, and in particular tornado risk in both spring and fall. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Chapel Hill residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Chapel Hill carries an overall risk score of 5.2/10, placing it in the moderate category. Seismic activity is the dominant hazard, with the community situated in or near an active tectonic zone capable of producing damaging ground shaking. The area also faces notable exposure to tornado and cold wave.
Within Tennessee, Chapel Hill's risk is, slightly below the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Marshall County identifies earthquake as the foremost hazard, followed by tornado and cold wave. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Chapel Hill's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that earthquake exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for Chapel Hill: Earthquake preparedness
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
Local Factors for Chapel Hill
These city-level factors differentiate Chapel Hill from other communities in Marshall County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
8,867
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 35.6°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 3.1/10
Coordinates
35.6398° N, 86.6916° W
Marshall County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Chapel Hill
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Chapel Hill
Other cities in Tennessee
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.