Edmonson County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Edmonson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.0, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Edmonson County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 11.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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.
Most of Edmonson County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $847K in expected annual loss and about 3.13 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $90K in expected annual loss and about 0.86 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $204K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Edmonson County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Edmonson County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 14 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Edmonson County ranks #116 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.13 / yr | $847K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.86 / yr | $90K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $204K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $966K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $706 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.19 / yr | $419K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.00 / yr | $132K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.36 / yr | $16K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $270K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 54.55 / yr | $75K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.43 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.21 / yr | $17K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Edmonson County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Snowstorm (4), Flood (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, 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 |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Edmonson County?
Edmonson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Edmonson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $847K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $90K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $204K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Edmonson County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Edmonson County ranks #116 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Edmonson County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Edmonson County since 1989, most often 14 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Edmonson County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.