Taylor County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 39th
Taylor County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.7, 39th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Taylor County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 38.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 39th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.55 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $464K in expected annual loss and about 3.12 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Taylor County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Taylor County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 10 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, Taylor County ranks #67 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.55 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.12 / yr | $464K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.16 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $577K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.95 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.89 / yr | $67K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.65 / yr | $75K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.83 / yr | $197K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.16 / yr | $183K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $21K |
| Drought | Low | 2.82 / yr | $26K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $276 |
| 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
Taylor County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Snowstorm (4), Tornado (3).
| 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, and Landslides |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides |
| December 2021 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Taylor County?
Taylor County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 39th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Taylor County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $464K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Taylor County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Taylor County ranks #67 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Taylor County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Taylor County since 1974, most often 10 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. Taylor County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.