Washington County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.