Marshall County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Marshall County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.9, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Marshall County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 61.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd 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 Marshall County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.48 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 32K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marshall 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: Marshall County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 15 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Marshall County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.48 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.84 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.74 / yr | $164K |
| Hail | Low | 2.85 / yr | $582K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.84 / yr | $932K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.48 / yr | $5K |
| Drought | Medium | 7.10 / yr | $404K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Low | 55.51 / yr | $287K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.11 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $35K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| 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
Marshall County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Flood (3), 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, 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 |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Marshall County?
Marshall County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marshall County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marshall County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Marshall County ranks #32 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marshall County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Marshall County since 1975, most often 15 for severe storm events and 3 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. Marshall County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.