Gallatin County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Gallatin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.3, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado 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 Gallatin County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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 Gallatin County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $838K in expected annual loss and about 5.51 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $956K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $383 in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gallatin County has a medium 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Gallatin County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 8 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, Gallatin County ranks #104 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.51 / yr | $838K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.07 / yr | $956K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $383 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.57 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 51.53 / yr | $90K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.95 / yr | $22K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.68 / yr | $276K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.33 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.47 / yr | $48K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.74 / yr | $7K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $404 |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.56 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $655 |
| 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
Gallatin County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), 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, 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 |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gallatin County?
Gallatin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gallatin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $838K EAL), Tornado (Low, $956K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $383 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gallatin County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Gallatin County ranks #104 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gallatin County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Gallatin County since 1996, most often 8 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. Gallatin County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.