Natural Disasters in Watauga, TN
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
61.2
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
64.6
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
36.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
71.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 87.9 |
| Strong Wind | 87.5 |
| Lightning | 87.2 |
| Earthquake | 84.0 |
| Ice Storm | 64.7 |
| Hurricane | 55.9 |
| Cold Wave | 52.0 |
| Tornado | 50.1 |
| Drought | 48.2 |
| Wildfire | 42.8 |
| Winter Weather | 38.9 |
| Hail | 37.9 |
| Heat Wave | 16.8 |
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
17
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, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Oct 2, 2024 | Tropical Storm | TROPICAL STORM HELENE |
| Sep 27, 2024 | Tropical Storm | TROPICAL STORM HELENE |
| Apr 2, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Apr 17, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Oct 7, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 20, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Aug 15, 2001 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 13, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 14, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL, WINTER STORM |
| May 25, 1984 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Nov 12, 1977 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Apr 4, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
| Mar 21, 1973 | Flood | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
287
Total Claims Paid
$5,262,344
Avg Claim Payout
$18,336
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$30,176,187
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
126
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4832 | Tropical Storm | 90 | $28,787,971 |
| DR-1456 | Severe Storm(s) | 7 | $723,517 |
| DR-4427 | Severe Storm(s) | 12 | $325,306 |
| DR-1568 | Severe Storm(s) | 7 | $138,468 |
| DR-1387 | Severe Storm(s) | 8 | $118,881 |
| DR-4514 | Biological | 2 | $82,044 |
Watauga has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, strong wind, lightning. The area has had 17 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (5 declarations). 287 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $30,176,187 in public assistance recovery funding.