Boyd County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Boyd County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.9, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | High | 4.53 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.41 / yr | $21K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.75 / yr | $19M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $258K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $136K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.63 / yr | $84K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $384K |
| Lightning | Medium | 49.12 / yr | $264K |
| Hail | Low | 3.15 / yr | $298K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.03 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $66K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.10 / yr | $403K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $225K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.66 / yr | $332 |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Boyd County?
Boyd County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Boyd County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (High, $7M EAL), Landslide (Low, $21K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $19M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boyd County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Boyd County ranks #14 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Boyd County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.