Larue County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Larue County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.4, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Larue County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $471K in expected annual loss and about 3.18 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $343K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $567K in expected annual loss and about 6.66 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Larue County has a very low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Larue County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 12 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, Larue County ranks #112 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 3.18 / yr | $471K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $343K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 6.66 / yr | $567K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.87 / yr | $68K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.74 / yr | $55K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $868K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.61 / yr | $152K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $513K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.66 / yr | $28K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.68 / yr | $117K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $81 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Larue County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (4), 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, 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, 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Larue County?
Larue County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Larue County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $471K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $343K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $567K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Larue County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Larue County ranks #112 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Larue County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Larue County since 1970, most often 12 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. Larue County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.