Carter County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Carter County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.7, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.13 / yr | $46K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.11 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.39 / yr | $10M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.55 / yr | $106K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $62K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.68 / yr | $48K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $142K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.48 / yr | $139K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $715K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.81 / yr | $319K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $20K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.04 / yr | $107K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $179K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.67 / yr | $775 |
| 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 Carter County?
Carter County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Carter County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $46K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Carter County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Carter County ranks #43 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. Carter County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.