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

Grant County Disaster Risk

Grant County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#106

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

17th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grant County, Kentucky

Grant County's low-risk profile

Grant County scores 16.29 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating that's well below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This places the county among the safer regions in the nation when it comes to natural disaster exposure.

One of Kentucky's safest counties

Grant County ranks near the bottom of Kentucky's natural disaster risk spectrum, with few counties statewide scoring lower than 16.29. Its Very Low rating reflects minimal exposure across most hazard types compared to state peers.

Safer than nearby counties

Grant County's 16.29 score beats neighboring Grayson County (45.26) and Green County (14.03) is similarly low-risk. Both neighbors face higher tornado and flood risks that Grant County successfully avoids.

Tornado is your main concern

Tornado risk at 64.38 is Grant County's top hazard, though it remains below the state average in overall disaster exposure. Earthquake risk (39.38) and flood risk (17.14) present secondary concerns but remain manageable.

Tornado coverage protects most homes

While Grant County's low overall risk means many residents skip disaster insurance, a basic homeowners policy with tornado coverage provides essential protection against the county's primary hazard. Even low-risk areas benefit from this affordable safeguard.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grant County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    39th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    17th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Grant County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Grant County ranks at the 16th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Grant County residents can take confidence from a 16th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Grant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 39th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (17th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 64th percentile nationally makes Grant County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 39th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Grant County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Grant County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

At 27.9 points below the Kentucky state average, Grant County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Grant 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 Grant County, KY?
Grant County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Grant County?
Grant County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (64th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), flooding (17th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 64th 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 Grant County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Grant County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grant County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Grant County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Grant County's tornado risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grant County is at the 17th 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 Grant County a safe place to live?
Grant County's composite risk score of 16th 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 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Washington County

Kentucky

+0.4

Very Low

17th percentile

Henry County

Kentucky

-0.5

Very Low

16th percentile

Gallatin County

Kentucky

+1.0

Very Low

17th 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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