Scott County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 56th
Scott County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.1, 56th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Scott County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 56.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 56th 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.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 5.68 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 57K.
Beyond physical exposure, Scott County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Scott County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Scott County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.68 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.16 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.14 / yr | $581K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.11 / yr | $142K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.85 / yr | $169K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Low | 3.20 / yr | $369K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.74 / yr | $408K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $895 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $27K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.45 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Scott County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Scott County?
Scott County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 56th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Scott County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Scott County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Scott County ranks #35 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Scott County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Scott County since 1974, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Scott County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.