McCreary County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
McCreary County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.3, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.52 / yr | $35K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.21 / yr | $105K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $138K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $258K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.56 / yr | $402K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.71 / yr | $164K |
| Hail | Low | 3.13 / yr | $178K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $36K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $659K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.74 / yr | $160K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $83 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.27 / yr | $18K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Very Low | 9.50 / yr | $935 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McCreary County?
McCreary County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McCreary County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $35K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $105K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $138K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McCreary County compare to other Kentucky counties?
McCreary County ranks #94 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. McCreary County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.