Anderson County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Anderson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.3, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Anderson County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 26.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 26th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $549K in expected annual loss and about 0.83 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.93 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Anderson County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Anderson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Anderson County ranks #93 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.83 / yr | $549K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.93 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.63 / yr | $84K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $326K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.56 / yr | $219K |
| Hail | Low | 3.46 / yr | $234K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.16 / yr | $606K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $126K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.62 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Anderson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Anderson County?
Anderson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Anderson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $549K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Anderson County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Anderson County ranks #93 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Anderson County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Anderson County since 1974, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Anderson County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.