Calloway County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Calloway County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.3, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Calloway County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 75.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $857K in expected annual loss and about 1.53 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $187K in expected annual loss and about 6.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Calloway County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Calloway County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Calloway County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $13M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.53 / yr | $857K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.68 / yr | $187K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 55.89 / yr | $501K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.84 / yr | $893K |
| Drought | Medium | 8.07 / yr | $343K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.48 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.83 / yr | $673K |
| Hail | Low | 2.78 / yr | $342K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.64 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Calloway County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| August 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Calloway County?
Calloway County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.3 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 Calloway County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $13M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $857K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $187K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Calloway County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Calloway County ranks #13 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Calloway County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Calloway County since 1975, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 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. Calloway County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.