Simpson County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Simpson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.0, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Simpson County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $949K in expected annual loss and about 3.22 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $141K in expected annual loss and about 0.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Simpson County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Simpson County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Simpson County ranks #91 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.22 / yr | $949K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $141K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.08 / yr | $638K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 56.48 / yr | $254K |
| Drought | Low | 3.54 / yr | $91K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $705K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.00 / yr | $201K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.84 / yr | $38K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $11 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Simpson County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2015 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Simpson County?
Simpson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Simpson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $949K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $141K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Simpson County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Simpson County ranks #91 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Simpson County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Simpson County since 1969, most often 8 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Simpson County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.