Natural Disaster Risk in Jonesborough

Natural Hazard Profile: Jonesborough, Tennessee

Located in the interior eastern United States in Washington County, Jonesborough is a city of approximately 29,080 residents. The humid subtropical climate that characterizes this part of Tennessee — marked by hot summers, mild winters, and transitional weather patterns — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Jonesborough a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Jonesborough's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include lightning and wind.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Jonesborough's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, near the 5.8/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and lightning, as measured by FEMA across Washington County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Jonesborough 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.