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

Elliott County Disaster Risk

Elliott County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

12th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#113

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Elliott County, Kentucky

Elliott County ranks among America's safest

With a composite risk score of 12.21, Elliott County ranks among the lowest nationally for natural disaster risk, earning a Very Low rating. Your county experiences minimal multi-hazard exposure compared to virtually all U.S. counties.

Second-safest county in Kentucky

Elliott County scores 12.21 against Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it second only to Edmonson County in overall hazard resilience. Your county's standing reflects exceptional safety across Kentucky's natural disaster landscape.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Elliott County's 12.21 score is meaningfully lower than those of neighboring Morgan, Breathitt, and Rowan counties, making it the east-central region's safest area. Your county's favorable position provides a distinct advantage for community resilience planning.

Wildfire risk is your primary hazard

Wildfire risk at 57.32 is Elliott County's highest threat, though still below state averages, driven by forestland in the region. Tornado risk (24.11) and flood risk (32.89) remain comparatively low, creating a relatively straightforward local hazard profile.

Wildfire preparedness is your focus

Clear dead vegetation and overhanging branches from your roof and gutters, maintain a 30-foot defensible space around your home, and know your local evacuation routes. Beyond wildfire preparedness, Elliott County's minimal overall risk allows streamlined household emergency planning compared to higher-hazard areas statewide.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Elliott County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    35th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    35th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Elliott County

Risk Verdict

Elliott County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 12th percentile nationally. Residents of Elliott County can use the 12th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Elliott County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (35th percentile), flood (33th percentile), tornado (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Elliott County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 57th percentile nationally. Elliott County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, hurricane at the 35th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Elliott County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Kentucky county average exceeds Elliott County's score by 32.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Elliott 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 Elliott County, KY?
Elliott County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 12th 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 Elliott County?
Elliott County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), earthquake (35th percentile), flooding (33th percentile), tornado (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 57th 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 Elliott County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Elliott County's composite risk percentile is 12th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Elliott County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Elliott County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Elliott County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Elliott County is at the 33th 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 Elliott County a safe place to live?
Elliott County's composite risk score of 12th 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 wildfire at the 57th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bracken County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

12th percentile

Larue County

Kentucky

+0.2

Very Low

12th percentile

Trimble County

Kentucky

-0.3

Very Low

12th 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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