Hart County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Hart County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.1, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hart County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 41.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $868K in expected annual loss and about 3.11 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $144K in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $653K in expected annual loss and about 6.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hart County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Hart County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 13 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, Hart County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.11 / yr | $868K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $144K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.40 / yr | $653K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $416K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.32 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $693K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.77 / yr | $775 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.68 / yr | $39K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.11 / yr | $179K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.07 / yr | $124K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $20K |
| Drought | Low | 2.32 / yr | $28K |
| 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
Hart County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Snowstorm (4), Flood (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, 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 |
| May 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hart County?
Hart County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hart County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $868K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $144K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $653K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hart County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Hart County ranks #56 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hart County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Hart County since 1989, most often 13 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. Hart County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.