Hopkins County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Hopkins County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.6, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hopkins County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 72.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Hopkins County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.35 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.64 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 45K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hopkins County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hopkins County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 17 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Hopkins County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.35 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.64 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.95 / yr | $790K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.47 / yr | $173K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.45 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.54 / yr | $550K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.53 / yr | $953K |
| Drought | Medium | 6.00 / yr | $431K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.04 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $778K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $382 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Hopkins County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (17), Tornado (3), Biological (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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hopkins County?
Hopkins County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.6 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 Hopkins County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hopkins County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Hopkins County ranks #20 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hopkins County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Hopkins County since 1969, most often 17 for severe storm events and 3 for tornado 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. Hopkins County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.