Meade County

Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

40.9

National percentile: 41th

Meade County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.9, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $13M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 30K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Strong Wind
Medium $1M/yr
Tornado
Medium $3M/yr
Ice Storm
Medium $172K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Strong Wind Medium 6.38 / yr $1M
Tornado Medium 0.24 / yr $3M
Ice Storm Medium 0.87 / yr $172K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $486K
Cold Wave Low 1.21 / yr $968K
Hail Low 3.49 / yr $261K
Winter Weather Low 8.42 / yr $64K
Heat Wave Low 5.74 / yr $361K
Riverine Flood Low 0.75 / yr $6M
Lightning Low 53.37 / yr $195K
Landslide Very Low 0.38 / yr $413
Drought Low 2.22 / yr $29K
Hurricane Very Low 0.01 / yr $4K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $5K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Meade County?

Meade County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Meade County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $172K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Meade County compare to other Kentucky counties?

Meade County ranks #57 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. Meade County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.