Mason County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Mason County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.2, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Mason County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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.
Most of Mason County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $850K in expected annual loss and about 4.16 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 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 1.71 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mason County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Mason County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 12 for severe storm events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Mason County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.16 / yr | $850K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $271K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.84 / yr | $305K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.66 / yr | $166K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.05 / yr | $45K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $522 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.60 / yr | $41K |
| Hail | Low | 3.23 / yr | $133K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.63 / yr | $12K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $188K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Mason County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
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 Mason County?
Mason County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mason County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $850K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mason County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Mason County ranks #65 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mason County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Mason County since 1968, most often 12 for severe storm events and 2 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. Mason County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.