Daviess County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Daviess County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.1, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $70M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Daviess County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 88.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Daviess County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $17M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.34 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.97 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $70M in expected annual loss for a population of 103K.
Beyond physical exposure, Daviess County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Daviess County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Daviess County ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $17M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.34 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.97 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.21 / yr | $533K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.12 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.16 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.89 / yr | $33M |
| Drought | Medium | 6.03 / yr | $542K |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.01 / yr | $470K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $273 |
| 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
Daviess County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (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 |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, 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 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Daviess County?
Daviess County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Daviess County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $17M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Daviess County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Daviess County ranks #6 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Daviess County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Daviess County since 1996, most often 10 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Daviess County's $70M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.