Boyle County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Boyle County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.6, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Boyle County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 41.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 7.22 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $739K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boyle County has a medium 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.
The federal record bears this out: Boyle County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 9 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Boyle County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 7.22 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $739K |
| Hail | Low | 3.46 / yr | $518K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.89 / yr | $105K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $158K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.94 / yr | $239K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $925K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.89 / yr | $166K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $162 |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.17 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Boyle County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Snowstorm (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| 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 |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2015 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes |
| February 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Boyle County?
Boyle County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Boyle County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $739K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boyle County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Boyle County ranks #53 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boyle County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Boyle County since 1974, most often 9 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Boyle County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.