Woodford County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Woodford County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.0, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Woodford County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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 Woodford County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.58 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $427K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Woodford County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Woodford County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 12 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, Woodford County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.58 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $427K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.58 / yr | $86K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.83 / yr | $121K |
| Lightning | Low | 51.92 / yr | $283K |
| Hail | Low | 3.37 / yr | $305K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $833K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.84 / yr | $129K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.45 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $74 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Woodford County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (4), Snowstorm (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, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 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 |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Woodford County?
Woodford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Woodford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $427K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Woodford County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Woodford County ranks #59 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Woodford County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Woodford County since 1978, most often 12 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. Woodford County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.