Perry County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Perry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.2, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Perry County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 73.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Perry County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $66K in expected annual loss and about 1.09 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $24M in expected annual loss and about 2.32 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $278K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perry County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Perry County has received 47 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 23 for severe storm events and 11 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in May 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Perry County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.09 / yr | $66K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $24M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $278K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.16 / yr | $98K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.06 / yr | $535K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $720 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $884K |
| Hail | Low | 3.30 / yr | $231K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $226K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.43 / yr | $183K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $36K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.58 / yr | $202K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.08 / yr | $537K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $6K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.73 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Perry County has received 47 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in May 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (23), Flood (11), Snowstorm (4).
| 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 |
| May 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 47 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Perry County?
Perry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Perry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $66K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $24M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $278K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perry County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Perry County ranks #19 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perry County had?
FEMA records 47 federal disaster declarations for Perry County since 1967, most often 23 for severe storm events and 11 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. Perry County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.