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

Boyle County Disaster Risk

Boyle County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Boyle County, Kentucky

Boyle County sits comfortably below average

With a composite risk score of 41.57 and a Very Low rating, Boyle County is safer than the national average of roughly 50. This below-average risk profile means residents enjoy relatively stable natural disaster conditions compared to the typical American county.

Boyle beats Kentucky's average risk

Boyle County's score of 41.57 sits comfortably below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it among the safer counties in the commonwealth. Only counties with comparable Very Low ratings offer better protection against natural disasters statewide.

Comparable to central Kentucky peers

Boyle County's Very Low rating aligns with other stable central Kentucky counties, though its slightly elevated tornado risk (76.40) stands out in the region. Overall, Boyle offers safer conditions than many neighboring areas in the Bluegrass and southeastern regions.

Tornadoes and earthquakes need attention

Tornado risk (76.40) is Boyle County's most significant hazard, substantially higher than the county's other threats and requiring strong shelter planning. Earthquake risk (69.40) ranks second, while flood, wildfire, and hurricane risks remain below regional averages.

Tornado-safe room and standard insurance advised

Boyle County residents should prioritize tornado preparedness—identifying safe rooms and keeping emergency kits ready—backed by comprehensive homeowners insurance. Consider earthquake riders if you own an older home, and conduct annual insurance reviews to verify adequate coverage limits.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Boyle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    43th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Boyle County

Risk Verdict

Boyle County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 42th percentile nationally. Boyle County residents can take confidence from a 42th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Boyle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (43th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Boyle County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 76th percentile nationally. For Boyle County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 69th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Boyle County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Boyle County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

At just 2.6 composite points from the Kentucky average, Boyle County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Boyle 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 Boyle County, KY?
Boyle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Boyle County?
Boyle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (76th percentile), earthquake (69th percentile), flooding (43th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 76th 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 Boyle County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Boyle County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Boyle County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Boyle County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Boyle County's tornado risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Boyle County is at the 43th 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 Boyle County a safe place to live?
Boyle County's composite risk score of 42th 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 tornado at the 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lewis County

Kentucky

-0.1

Very Low

41th percentile

Mercer County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

41th percentile

Estill County

Kentucky

+0.2

Very Low

42th percentile

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.

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