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

Campbell County Disaster Risk

Campbell County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% 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 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Campbell County, Kentucky

Campbell faces moderate disaster risk

Campbell County's composite score of 58.33 puts it in the Relatively Low category, meaning risk exceeds the national average but remains manageable. Residents should be familiar with local hazards but aren't in an extreme-risk zone.

Mid-tier risk within Kentucky

At 58.33, Campbell County scores 14 points above Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it in the upper-middle range statewide. Several Kentucky counties carry higher composite risk, but Campbell faces more exposure than average.

Less risky than western Kentucky peers

Campbell County's 58.33 score is significantly lower than Calloway (75.35) and Christian (79.64) counties but higher than Caldwell (38.96) and Carroll (23.41). Its position in northern Kentucky shapes a different hazard profile than western peers.

Tornadoes and flooding lead concerns

Tornado risk of 79.96 ranks among the state's highest, making Campbell County vulnerable to severe spring storms and potential damage. Flood risk at 64.31 reflects proximity to rivers and tributaries, creating seasonal inundation threats.

Secure flood and tornado protection

Campbell County homeowners in flood-prone areas absolutely need flood insurance—standard homeowners policies won't cover water damage. Reinforce interior rooms as tornado shelters and keep emergency supplies ready during severe weather seasons.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Campbell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    64th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Campbell County

Risk Verdict

Campbell County ranks at the 58th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Campbell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (64th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Campbell County ranks at the 80th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Campbell County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 68th percentile nationally means Campbell County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Campbell County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other Kentucky counties, Campbell County runs 14.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Campbell 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 Campbell County, KY?
Campbell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Campbell County?
Campbell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (80th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), flooding (64th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), hurricane (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 80th 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 Campbell County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Campbell County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Campbell County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Campbell County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Campbell County's tornado risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Campbell County is at the 64th 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.
Why is Campbell County higher risk than average?
Campbell County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (80th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Scott County

Kentucky

-2.3

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Oldham County

Kentucky

-2.4

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Nelson County

Kentucky

-3.1

Relatively Low

55th 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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