Owsley County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Owsley County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.4, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Owsley County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $15K in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $80K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $32K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Owsley County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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.
The federal record bears this out: Owsley County has received 48 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 23 for severe storm events and 12 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Owsley County ranks #118 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.65 / yr | $15K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $80K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.53 / yr | $16K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $151K |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.27 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.51 / yr | $114K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.63 / yr | $34K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.30 / yr | $40K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $106K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.86 / yr | $29K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Owsley County has received 48 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (23), Flood (12), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 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 |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 48 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Owsley County?
Owsley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Owsley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $15K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $80K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $32K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Owsley County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Owsley County ranks #118 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Owsley County had?
FEMA records 48 federal disaster declarations for Owsley County since 1970, most often 23 for severe storm events and 12 for flood 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. Owsley County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.