Montgomery County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Montgomery County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.3, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather 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 Montgomery County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 34.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $844K in expected annual loss and about 5.03 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $106K in expected annual loss and about 14.58 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $318K in expected annual loss and about 50.76 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Montgomery County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Montgomery County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Montgomery County ranks #73 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.03 / yr | $844K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.58 / yr | $106K |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.76 / yr | $318K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $381K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.07 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.09 / yr | $272K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.86 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $57K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.79 / yr | $243K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $23K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.11 / yr | $537K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $451 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.77 / 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 |
Disaster History
Montgomery County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Severe Ice Storm (3), Snowstorm (3).
| 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 |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montgomery County?
Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $844K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $106K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $318K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montgomery County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Montgomery County ranks #73 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Montgomery County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Montgomery County since 1974, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for severe ice storm 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. Montgomery County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.