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

Crittenden County Disaster Risk

Crittenden County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#81

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Crittenden County, Kentucky

Crittenden County ranks below national risk

With a composite risk score of 30.38, Crittenden County is safer than the national average despite one notable hazard concentration. Your county earns a Very Low overall risk rating, reflecting generally favorable conditions for natural disaster resilience.

Low risk within Kentucky's profile

Crittenden County scores 30.38 against Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it comfortably in the state's lower-risk counties. This position indicates resilience compared to much of Kentucky's hazard exposure landscape.

Comparable to surrounding counties

Crittenden County's 30.38 score aligns reasonably well with nearby Livingston and Lyon counties, though all three face distinct hazard profiles. Your county occupies a middle ground in northwestern Kentucky's risk spectrum.

Earthquake risk is a unique concern

Earthquake risk at 81.62 is Crittenden County's standout hazard—one of Kentucky's highest—driven by proximity to seismic zones. Tornado risk at 47.74 is secondary, while flood risk remains moderate at 30.79.

Secure your home for earthquake safety

Secure tall furniture, water heaters, and appliances to walls to prevent toppling during seismic events, and identify stable shelter locations like doorframes or tables. Review your homeowners insurance for earthquake coverage—standard policies exclude earthquake damage—and consider adding it given your county's elevated risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Crittenden County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    31th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Crittenden County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Crittenden County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 30th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Crittenden County's favorable 30th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Crittenden County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (31th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 82th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Crittenden County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. The county's tornado risk at the 48th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For Crittenden County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Crittenden County is 13.8 composite risk points below the Kentucky state mean, meaning most other Kentucky counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Crittenden 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 Crittenden County, KY?
Crittenden County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th 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 Crittenden County?
Crittenden County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (82th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 82th 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 Crittenden County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Crittenden County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Crittenden County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Crittenden County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Crittenden County's earthquake risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Crittenden County is at the 31th 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 Crittenden County a safe place to live?
Crittenden County's composite risk score of 30th 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 82th 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.