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

Carlisle County Disaster Risk

Carlisle County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#101

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carlisle County, Kentucky

Carlisle County is extremely low-risk

Carlisle County's score of 18.73 ranks in the Very Low category, placing it far below the national average for disaster risk. This western Kentucky county is among the safest places in the nation from natural hazards.

Kentucky's lowest-risk county

At 18.73, Carlisle County scores 25 points below Kentucky's average of 44.21—the lowest composite score in the state. Residents enjoy exceptionally low exposure to natural disasters compared to peers statewide.

Safest county in western Kentucky

Carlisle County's 18.73 is dramatically lower than Calloway (75.35), Christian (79.64), and Caldwell (38.96) counties in the region. Only Carroll County (23.41) comes close to matching its extraordinarily low risk profile.

Earthquake risk is primary concern

Even at 86.20, earthquake risk is Carlisle County's highest hazard, though earthquakes remain rare and typically mild in Kentucky. Tornado risk of 30.47 is notably low compared to state norms, and other hazards present minimal threat.

Standard coverage handles local risks

Carlisle County residents can focus on standard homeowners insurance without extreme concern about specialized disaster policies. A basic emergency kit and household plan for severe weather provide adequate preparation for this low-risk area.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carlisle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    30th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    25th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Carlisle County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Carlisle County ranks at the 19th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Carlisle County's 19th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Carlisle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 30th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (25th percentile), flood (7th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 86th percentile nationally, Carlisle County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Carlisle County's tornado risk at the 30th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Carlisle 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 25.5 points below the Kentucky state average, Carlisle County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Carlisle 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 Carlisle County, KY?
Carlisle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Carlisle County?
Carlisle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (86th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), flooding (7th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 86th 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 Carlisle County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Carlisle County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Carlisle County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Carlisle County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Carlisle County's earthquake risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Carlisle County is at the 7th 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 Carlisle County a safe place to live?
Carlisle County's composite risk score of 19th 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 86th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wolfe County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

19th percentile

Nicholas County

Kentucky

+0.3

Very Low

19th percentile

Butler County

Kentucky

-0.6

Very Low

18th 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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