Natural Disasters in Athens, TN
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
60.2
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
57.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
59.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
37.7
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Earthquake | 88.9 |
| Landslide | 85.8 |
| Strong Wind | 81.9 |
| Tornado | 71.2 |
| Lightning | 68.4 |
| Cold Wave | 64.7 |
| Winter Weather | 52.7 |
| Drought | 51.7 |
| Hurricane | 50.4 |
| Wildfire | 49.2 |
| Ice Storm | 48.0 |
| Hail | 43.4 |
| Heat Wave | 35.9 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
14
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
5 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 2, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Apr 2, 2015 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND FLOODING |
| Mar 16, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS AND |
| May 1, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND ASSOCIATED FLOODING |
| May 15, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| May 8, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Apr 14, 1994 | Flood | EXTENSIVE RAINFALL AND FLASH FLOODING |
| Feb 28, 1994 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER ICE STORM,FLASH FLOODING |
| Mar 14, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM |
| Apr 4, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
| Mar 21, 1973 | Flood | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
40
Total Claims Paid
$350,922
Avg Claim Payout
$8,773
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$674,681
Disasters with PA
5
Total Projects
37
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1464 | Severe Storm(s) | 16 | $276,274 |
| DR-1974 | Severe Storm(s) | 9 | $266,535 |
| DR-1839 | Severe Storm(s) | 9 | $108,778 |
| DR-1260 | Severe Storm(s) | 2 | $12,580 |
| DR-4211 | Severe Ice Storm | 1 | $10,514 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
1
Federal Funding
$716,250
Properties Protected
1
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.43
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 1 | $716,250 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Athens has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, landslide, strong wind. The area has had 14 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (5 declarations). 40 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $674,681 in public assistance recovery funding. 1 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.