Athens, TN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Athens is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for McMinn County, TN. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, landslide, and strong wind.
Storm events near Athens
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Athens's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Athens itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are McMinn County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Athens along with the rest of the county, not a Athens-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 49.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 62.6 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 88.9 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 35.9 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 71.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 64.7 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 51.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 43.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 50.4 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 48 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 85.8 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 68.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 81.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 52.7 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full McMinn County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on McMinn County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Athens, TN at risk of?
Athens is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for McMinn County, where Athens is located, are earthquake, landslide, and strong wind.
What is Athens's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for McMinn County, where Athens is located, scoring 88.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Low").
Is Athens a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Athens carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for McMinn County.
Has Athens had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 12 tornado, 44 hail, 42 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Athens since 2016.