Washington County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Washington County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.7, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 16.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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 Low risk — $336K in expected annual loss and about 3.48 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $106K in expected annual loss and about 0.89 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washington County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Washington County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 15 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, Washington County ranks #105 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 3.48 / yr | $336K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.89 / yr | $106K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 7.32 / yr | $589K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $270K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.77 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.74 / yr | $29K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.62 / yr | $106K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $389K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.91 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $65K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Washington County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Snowstorm (4), Flood (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 |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| 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 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $336K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $106K EAL), Tornado (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Washington County ranks #105 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washington County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Washington County since 1989, most often 15 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. Washington County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.