Natural Disaster Risk in Washington County

Natural Hazard Profile: Washington County, Tennessee

Washington County is located in the United States in Tennessee, home to roughly 132,934 residents. The county experiences hot summers, mild winters, and transitional weather patterns, with tornado risk in both spring and fall shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Washington County's composite natural disaster risk at 6.1 out of 10 — high risk. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Residents should also account for lightning and wind risk in their preparedness planning.

Washington County's risk score, near the 5.8/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Washington County, the highest-scoring are landslide, lightning, and wind. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Washington 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.