Wolfe County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Wolfe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.5, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wolfe County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $29K in expected annual loss and about 0.69 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $62K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.18 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wolfe County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Wolfe County has received 34 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 14 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Wolfe County ranks #102 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $29K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $62K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.18 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 3.30 / yr | $106K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.42 / yr | $25K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.96 / yr | $179K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $9K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.89 / yr | $52K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $193K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $52K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $147K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Wolfe County has received 34 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (8), Snowstorm (4).
| 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, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| May 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 34 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wolfe County?
Wolfe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wolfe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $29K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $62K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wolfe County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Wolfe County ranks #102 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wolfe County had?
FEMA records 34 federal disaster declarations for Wolfe County since 1978, most often 14 for severe storm events and 8 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. Wolfe County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.