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

Daviess County Disaster Risk

Daviess County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

88th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

89th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Daviess County, Kentucky

Daviess County faces elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 88.14, Daviess County ranks significantly above the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate risk rating. Your county's multi-hazard exposure places it in a higher-risk tier requiring serious disaster preparedness investment.

Kentucky's highest-risk county overall

Daviess County's 88.14 score is the highest among all Kentucky counties, far exceeding the state average of 44.21. Your county faces the most concentrated natural hazard exposure in the commonwealth and demands distinctive preparedness strategies.

Dramatically riskier than all neighbors

Daviess County's 88.14 score vastly exceeds those of neighboring Henderson, McLean, and Ohio counties, making it regionally anomalous in hazard exposure. Your county's unique risk profile reflects multiple converging hazard types not matched elsewhere in northwestern Kentucky.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods converge

Tornado risk (88.90), earthquake risk (95.87), and flood risk (88.84) all score at critically high levels in Daviess County—three of the state's highest totals. This convergence of major hazards creates a uniquely challenging risk environment requiring comprehensive household planning.

Build comprehensive hazard protection now

Daviess County homes need earthquake-resistant retrofitting, flood-resistant elevation or barriers, and a reinforced safe room for tornadoes—consider professional assessment of your property. Purchase homeowners insurance with earthquake and flood riders, maintain emergency supplies for multiple scenarios, and develop detailed family evacuation plans for each hazard type.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Daviess County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    89th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Daviess County

Risk Verdict

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Daviess County at the 88th percentile nationally — above average and worth proactive preparation. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Daviess County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (89th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 96th percentile nationally puts Daviess County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Tornado at the 89th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Daviess County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Daviess County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Daviess County is 43.9 composite risk points above the Kentucky average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Daviess 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 Daviess County, KY?
Daviess County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 88th 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 Daviess County?
Daviess County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (96th percentile), tornado (89th percentile), flooding (89th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 96th 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 Daviess County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Daviess County's composite risk percentile is 88th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Daviess County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Daviess County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Daviess County's earthquake risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Daviess County is at the 89th 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 Daviess County higher risk than average?
Daviess County's composite risk score of 88th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (96th percentile), along with tornado 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

Pike County

Kentucky

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

Warren County

Kentucky

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

McCracken County

Kentucky

+1.5

Relatively Moderate

90th 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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