Henderson County

Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

73.2

National percentile: 73th

Henderson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.2, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $29M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 45K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Earthquake
Medium $8M/yr
Strong Wind
High $2M/yr
Ice Storm
High $587K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Earthquake Medium 0.01 / yr $8M
Strong Wind High 4.36 / yr $2M
Ice Storm High 1.24 / yr $587K
Winter Weather Medium 8.05 / yr $151K
Riverine Flood Medium 3.11 / yr $14M
Heat Wave Low 8.21 / yr $984K
Drought Medium 6.30 / yr $510K
Hail Low 2.99 / yr $364K
Tornado Low 0.34 / yr $1M
Lightning Low 52.76 / yr $205K
Cold Wave Low 1.05 / yr $685K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $12K
Landslide Very Low 0.28 / yr $76
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $2K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Henderson County?

Henderson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Henderson County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $587K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Henderson County compare to other Kentucky counties?

Henderson County ranks #18 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. Henderson County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.