Knox County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Knox County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.7, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.79 / yr | $8M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $32K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.02 / yr | $396K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 13.63 / yr | $140K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.11 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $469K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.57 / yr | $452K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.38 / yr | $201K |
| Hail | Low | 3.19 / yr | $218K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.58 / yr | $288K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $16K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $147 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $14K |
| Drought | Very Low | 9.09 / yr | $2K |
| 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 Knox County?
Knox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Knox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $8M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $32K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $396K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Knox County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Knox County ranks #16 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. Knox County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.