Laurel County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Laurel County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.7, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Laurel County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 71.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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 Laurel County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $355K in expected annual loss and about 12.89 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.13 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 62K.
Beyond physical exposure, Laurel County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Laurel County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 13 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Laurel County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 12.89 / yr | $355K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.13 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.09 / yr | $30K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.63 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.72 / yr | $972K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.42 / yr | $446K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.00 / yr | $8M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $62K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.32 / yr | $50K |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.74 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Laurel County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Snowstorm (3), Winter Storm (2).
| 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, 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 |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Laurel County?
Laurel County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Laurel County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $355K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Laurel County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Laurel County ranks #22 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Laurel County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Laurel County since 1970, most often 13 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Laurel County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.