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

Garrard County Disaster Risk

Garrard County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#82

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% 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

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Garrard County, Kentucky

Garrard ranks very low nationally

Garrard County's composite risk score of 30.25 sits well below the national average, indicating minimal exposure to major natural disasters. This very low ranking reflects a fortunate geographic position across virtually all primary hazard categories.

Among Kentucky's safest counties

Garrard's score of 30.25 ranks significantly below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing the county comfortably in the lower-risk tier. The county enjoys one of the commonwealth's most favorable natural disaster profiles.

Well-positioned in central Kentucky region

Garrard's risk level (30.25) is substantially lower than nearby Fayette County (92.05) and Franklin County (64.47), though slightly higher than Gallatin County (17.27) to its north. The county occupies a relatively protected zone in central Kentucky.

Tornado and flood risks merit monitoring

Garrard's tornado risk of 57.57 represents its highest exposure, though still moderate compared to state averages and significantly lower than neighboring high-risk counties. Flood risk (40.94) poses a secondary concern affecting properties near waterways and low-lying areas.

Standard insurance covers most exposures

Garrard County residents should obtain homeowner insurance with comprehensive tornado and wind protection to address the county's highest-risk category. Flood insurance is recommended only for properties in mapped flood zones or historically flood-prone locations.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Garrard County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    45th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Garrard County

Risk Verdict

At the 30th percentile nationally, Garrard County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Garrard County's 30th 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

Tornado risk is Garrard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (45th percentile), flood (41th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Garrard County ranks at the 58th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Garrard 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 49th percentile nationally means Garrard County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Garrard 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

A composite score 14.0 points below the Kentucky state average puts Garrard County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Garrard 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 Garrard County, KY?
Garrard 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 Garrard County?
Garrard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (58th percentile), earthquake (49th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile), flooding (41th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 58th 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 Garrard County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Garrard 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 Garrard County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Garrard County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Garrard County's tornado risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Garrard County is at the 41th 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 Garrard County a safe place to live?
Garrard 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 tornado at the 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Marion County

Kentucky

-0.0

Very Low

30th percentile

Crittenden County

Kentucky

+0.1

Very Low

30th percentile

Cumberland County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

30th 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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