Powell County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Powell County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 31.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $788K in expected annual loss and about 5.67 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $51K in expected annual loss and about 14.63 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 2.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Powell County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Powell County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 15 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Powell County ranks #79 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Powell County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Flood (8), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| May 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Powell County had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Powell County since 1967, most often 15 for severe storm events and 8 for flood 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. Powell County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.