Cumberland County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Cumberland County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.1, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Cumberland County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 30.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $131K in expected annual loss and about 2.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cumberland County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Cumberland County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Cumberland County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.81 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.54 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 2.89 / yr | $131K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $445K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.32 / yr | $26K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $84K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $475K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $13K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.62 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Low | 55.41 / yr | $59K |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.43 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.47 / yr | $151K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $44K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Cumberland County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), Snowstorm (3).
| 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, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cumberland County?
Cumberland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cumberland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $4M EAL), Hail (Low, $131K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cumberland County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Cumberland County ranks #84 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cumberland County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Cumberland County since 1969, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Cumberland County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.