Martin County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Martin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.9, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Martin County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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 Martin County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $29K in expected annual loss and about 0.67 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $171K 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 — $8M in expected annual loss and about 1.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Martin County has a very 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: Martin County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 15 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Martin County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.67 / yr | $29K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $171K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.68 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.42 / yr | $198K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.66 / yr | $256K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.00 / yr | $28K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $16K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $125 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $266K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.84 / yr | $52K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.32 / yr | $48K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $152K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.12 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Martin County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Flood (9), Severe Ice Storm (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, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 37 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Martin County?
Martin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Martin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $29K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $171K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Martin County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Martin County ranks #46 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Martin County had?
FEMA records 37 federal disaster declarations for Martin County since 1967, most often 15 for severe storm events and 9 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. Martin County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.