Hickman County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Hickman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.8, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hickman County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $488K in expected annual loss and about 1.43 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $845K in expected annual loss and about 10.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hickman County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Hickman County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Hickman County ranks #71 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.43 / yr | $488K |
| Drought | Medium | 10.53 / yr | $845K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.30 / yr | $397K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $659K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 10.84 / yr | $170K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $486 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.47 / yr | $28K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $368K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 56.53 / yr | $50K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.93 / yr | $42K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.25 / yr | $837K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $730 |
| 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
Hickman County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (4), Tornado (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 |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, 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 |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hickman County?
Hickman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hickman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $4M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $488K EAL), Drought (Medium, $845K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hickman County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Hickman County ranks #71 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hickman County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Hickman County since 1973, most often 14 for severe storm events and 4 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. Hickman County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.