Marion County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Marion County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.2, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Marion County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 30.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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 — $411K in expected annual loss and about 3.28 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $764K in expected annual loss and about 6.87 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marion County has a medium 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: Marion County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Marion County ranks #83 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 3.28 / yr | $411K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.87 / yr | $764K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $425K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.77 / yr | $106K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.00 / yr | $75K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $761K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.14 / yr | $163K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $22K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $428 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.85 / yr | $23K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $109K |
| 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
Marion County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (3), Snowstorm (3).
| 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, and Landslides |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $411K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $764K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Marion County ranks #83 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marion County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Marion County since 1970, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm 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. Marion County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.