Jackson County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Jackson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.2, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jackson County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th 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 Jackson County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $35K in expected annual loss and about 1.11 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $310K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $53K in expected annual loss and about 14.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Jackson County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 14 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Jackson County ranks #96 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.11 / yr | $35K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $310K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.21 / yr | $53K |
| Hail | Low | 3.21 / yr | $159K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.81 / yr | $350K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.46 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $545K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $21K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $93K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.19 / yr | $103K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $127K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $436K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $16K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.90 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Jackson County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (6), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $35K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $310K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $53K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Jackson County ranks #96 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1970, most often 14 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in May 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. Jackson County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.