Bourbon County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Bourbon County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.4, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado 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 Bourbon County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.54 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $333K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bourbon County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Bourbon County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 9 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, Bourbon County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.54 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $333K |
| Hail | Low | 3.11 / yr | $277K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.61 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.53 / yr | $60K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.32 / yr | $194K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.81 / yr | $62K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $33K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $601K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $173K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.72 / yr | $23K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $44 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Bourbon County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bourbon County?
Bourbon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bourbon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $333K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bourbon County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Bourbon County ranks #64 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bourbon County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Bourbon County since 1978, most often 9 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. Bourbon County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.