Magoffin County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Magoffin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.0, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Magoffin County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $34K in expected annual loss and about 0.96 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $356K 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 Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 1.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Magoffin 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 federal record bears this out: Magoffin County has received 49 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 21 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, Magoffin County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $34K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $356K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.68 / yr | $39K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $111K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $17K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.47 / yr | $122K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.09 / yr | $210K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.58 / yr | $73K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $66K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $201K |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.59 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $139K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Magoffin County has received 49 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (21), Flood (13), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| May 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 49 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Magoffin County?
Magoffin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Magoffin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $34K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $356K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Magoffin County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Magoffin County ranks #72 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Magoffin County had?
FEMA records 49 federal disaster declarations for Magoffin County since 1967, most often 21 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. Magoffin County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.