Trimble County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Trimble County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.9, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Trimble County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 11.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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.
Most of Trimble County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $493K in expected annual loss and about 5.62 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $591 in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Trimble County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The federal record bears this out: Trimble County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 11 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Trimble County ranks #115 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.62 / yr | $493K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $591 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.91 / yr | $33K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.93 / yr | $56K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.58 / yr | $42K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $149K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.42 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.67 / yr | $21K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $930 |
| 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
Trimble County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (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, and Landslides |
| 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 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Trimble County?
Trimble County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Trimble County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $493K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $591 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Trimble County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Trimble County ranks #115 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Trimble County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Trimble County since 1978, most often 11 for severe storm events and 4 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. Trimble County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.