Rowan County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Rowan County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.9, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.65 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Medium | 49.94 / yr | $545K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.84 / yr | $82K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.94 / yr | $530K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.74 / yr | $334K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $184K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $38K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.08 / yr | $767K |
| Hail | Low | 3.17 / yr | $149K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.45 / yr | $41K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $241K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.77 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17 |
| 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 Rowan County?
Rowan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rowan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $19K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $545K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rowan County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Rowan County ranks #48 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Rowan County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.