Cookeville, TN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Cookeville is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Putnam County, TN. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, tornado, and earthquake.
Storm events near Cookeville
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Cookeville's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Cookeville 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 Putnam County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Cookeville along with the rest of the county, not a Cookeville-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 27.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 60.2 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 85.7 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 35.6 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 86.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 80.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 30.2 | Very Low |
| Hail | 73 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 48 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 72.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 54.1 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 88.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 72.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.8 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Putnam County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Putnam County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Cookeville, TN at risk of?
Cookeville 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 Putnam County, where Cookeville is located, are lightning, tornado, and earthquake.
What is Cookeville's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Putnam County, where Cookeville is located, scoring 88.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Cookeville a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Cookeville carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Putnam County.
Has Cookeville had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 22 tornado, 81 hail, 70 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Cookeville since 2016.