Pendleton County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Pendleton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.9, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pendleton County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 29.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $491K in expected annual loss and about 50.78 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $668K in expected annual loss and about 4.44 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pendleton 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.
The federal record bears this out: Pendleton County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 9 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Pendleton County ranks #85 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 50.78 / yr | $491K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.44 / yr | $668K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.47 / yr | $170K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.68 / yr | $370K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.22 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.68 / yr | $15K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.25 / yr | $23K |
| 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
Pendleton County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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, and Landslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2015 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
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 Pendleton County?
Pendleton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pendleton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $491K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $668K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pendleton County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Pendleton County ranks #85 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pendleton County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Pendleton County since 1968, most often 9 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Pendleton County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.