Knott County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Knott County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.1, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Knott County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 52.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $57K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $163K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 1.18 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Knott County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Knott County has received 43 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 23 for severe storm events and 13 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Knott County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.12 / yr | $57K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $163K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.18 / yr | $10M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $700 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.32 / yr | $47K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $391K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $76K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $14K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.58 / yr | $108K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.95 / yr | $216K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.18 / yr | $85K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.34 / yr | $66K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $152K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $4K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.21 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Knott County has received 43 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (23), Flood (13), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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, 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 |
| May 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 43 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Knott County?
Knott County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knott County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $57K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $163K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knott County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Knott County ranks #45 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Knott County had?
FEMA records 43 federal disaster declarations for Knott County since 1967, most often 23 for severe storm events and 13 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. Knott County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.