Harlan County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Harlan County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.7, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.60 / yr | $42K |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.91 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.50 / yr | $14M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.53 / yr | $109K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $121K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.95 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $269K |
| Hail | Low | 3.07 / yr | $169K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $26K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.42 / yr | $159K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $588K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $16K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.34 / yr | $40K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 10.58 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harlan County?
Harlan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harlan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $42K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harlan County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Harlan County ranks #28 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Harlan County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.