Harrison County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Harrison County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.8, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Harrison County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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 Harrison County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $929K in expected annual loss and about 4.77 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $334K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harrison County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Harrison County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Harrison County ranks #74 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.77 / yr | $929K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.18 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $334K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.73 / yr | $235K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $77K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.56 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.32 / yr | $46K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $133K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $309K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.42 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.24 / yr | $68K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Harrison County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), Snowstorm (3).
| 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 |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harrison County?
Harrison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harrison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $929K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $334K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harrison County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Harrison County ranks #74 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harrison County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Harrison County since 1974, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Harrison County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.