Powell County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Powell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.2, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.67 / yr | $788K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.63 / yr | $51K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.46 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $838 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.08 / yr | $121K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $88K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.06 / yr | $501K |
| Hail | Low | 3.26 / yr | $100K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $332K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.79 / yr | $101K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $20K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $28 |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.77 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Powell County?
Powell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Powell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $788K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $51K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Powell County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Powell County ranks #79 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Powell County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.