riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Breckinridge County Disaster Risk

Breckinridge County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

49th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% 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 63% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Breckinridge County

Risk Verdict

Breckinridge County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 40th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Breckinridge County, scoring in the 68th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 63th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (49th), hurricane (31th), wildfire (10th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Breckinridge County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Breckinridge County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is within 4.7 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Kentucky as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Breckinridge County, KY?
Breckinridge County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Breckinridge County?
Breckinridge County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (68th percentile), tornado (63th percentile), flooding (49th percentile), hurricane (31th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 68th 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 Breckinridge County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Breckinridge County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Breckinridge County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Breckinridge County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Breckinridge County's earthquake risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Breckinridge County is at the 49th 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 Breckinridge County a safe place to live?
Breckinridge County's composite risk score of 40th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ballard County

Kentucky

+0.1

Very Low

40th percentile

Adair County

Kentucky

-0.1

Very Low

39th percentile

Bourbon County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

39th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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