Clinton County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Clinton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.5, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clinton County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 24.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 7.58 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $688K in expected annual loss and about 0.79 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $170K in expected annual loss and about 2.87 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clinton County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clinton County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Clinton County ranks #95 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.58 / yr | $47K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $688K |
| Hail | Low | 2.87 / yr | $170K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $743K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $32K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 55.38 / yr | $108K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $428 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.38 / yr | $279K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.60 / yr | $31K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $81K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $60K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.79 / 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
Clinton County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (3), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clinton County?
Clinton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clinton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Low, $47K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $688K EAL), Hail (Low, $170K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clinton County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Clinton County ranks #95 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clinton County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Clinton County since 1974, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in May 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. Clinton County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.