Monroe County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Monroe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.7, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Monroe County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 26.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $485K in expected annual loss and about 3.04 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $356K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $394K in expected annual loss and about 5.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Monroe County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Monroe County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 13 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Monroe County ranks #92 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.04 / yr | $485K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $356K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.84 / yr | $394K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $890K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.84 / yr | $45K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.70 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $643K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.73 / yr | $832 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $24K |
| Drought | Low | 3.88 / yr | $44K |
| Lightning | Low | 55.86 / yr | $103K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.89 / yr | $97K |
| 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
Monroe County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Snowstorm (3), Winter Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| April 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Monroe County?
Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $485K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $356K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $394K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monroe County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Monroe County ranks #92 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Monroe County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Monroe County since 1969, most often 13 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in May 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. Monroe County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.