Hancock County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Hancock County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.8, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hancock County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 28.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $202K in expected annual loss and about 1.24 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $670K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $351K in expected annual loss and about 3.52 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hancock County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Hancock County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 14 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, Hancock County ranks #88 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.24 / yr | $202K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $670K |
| Hail | Low | 3.52 / yr | $351K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.94 / yr | $421K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $475 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.11 / yr | $150K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $538K |
| Drought | Low | 4.69 / yr | $24K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.00 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $176K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.59 / yr | $39K |
| 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
Hancock County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), 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, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hancock County?
Hancock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hancock County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $202K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $670K EAL), Hail (Low, $351K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hancock County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Hancock County ranks #88 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hancock County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Hancock County since 1996, most often 14 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. Hancock County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.