Webster County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Webster County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.2, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Webster County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 29.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $560K in expected annual loss and about 1.29 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $493K in expected annual loss and about 5.72 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Webster County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Webster County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 12 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Webster County ranks #86 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.29 / yr | $560K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 5.72 / yr | $493K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.44 / yr | $905K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.58 / yr | $305K |
| Hail | Low | 2.98 / yr | $182K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.16 / yr | $44K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.27 / yr | $816K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.43 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.95 / yr | $437K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.41 / yr | $85K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $158 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $922 |
| 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
Webster County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (3), 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 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
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 Webster County?
Webster County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Webster County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $560K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $493K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Webster County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Webster County ranks #86 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Webster County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Webster County since 1969, most often 12 for severe storm events and 3 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. Webster County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.