riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Bath County Disaster Risk

Bath County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#110

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bath County, Kentucky

Bath County offers exceptional natural safety

Bath County's composite score of 13.71 and Very Low rating rank it among the lowest-risk counties in the entire nation. The county demonstrates remarkably balanced, minimal exposure across all major hazard categories.

Kentucky's safest county by risk score

Bath County's 13.71 composite score makes it the safest county in Kentucky, with dramatically lower risk than the state average of 44.21. No other Kentucky county approaches Bath's exceptional safety profile.

Bath far outpaces neighboring counties

Bath County (13.71) offers superior protection compared to all adjacent counties, with the nearest competitors being Anderson (26.34) and Allen (33.33). This safety advantage is rare and noteworthy within the state.

All hazards remain well below dangerous levels

Bath County shows relatively balanced moderate risk across most hazards, with wildfire (26.18) and flood (29.55) slightly elevated. No single threat poses a dominant concern, making Bath a genuinely low-risk environment.

Standard homeowners coverage typically sufficient

Bath County residents benefit from exceptionally low risk across natural disasters, making a comprehensive homeowners policy the primary protection need. Annual policy reviews remain important to ensure adequate coverage levels.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bath County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    34th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    30th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Bath County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Bath County ranks at the 14th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 14th percentile national ranking is one lens; Bath County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Bath County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 34th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (30th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 34th percentile nationally, Bath County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Tornado at the 33th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Bath County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Bath County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

At 30.5 points below the Kentucky state average, Bath County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Bath County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bath County, KY?
Bath County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Bath County?
Bath County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (34th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), flooding (30th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 34th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Bath County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Bath County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bath County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Bath County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Bath County's earthquake risk is at the 34th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Bath County is at the 30th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Bath County a safe place to live?
Bath County's composite risk score of 14th percentile is below the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 34th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.