riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Grayson County Disaster Risk

Grayson County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

45th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Grayson County

Risk Verdict

Grayson County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 45th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Grayson County, scoring in the 71th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 70th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (48th), hurricane (35th), wildfire (12th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Grayson County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Grayson County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is within 1.1 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Kentucky as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Grayson County, KY?
Grayson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 45th 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 Grayson County?
Grayson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (71th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 71th 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 Grayson County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Grayson County's composite risk percentile is 45th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Grayson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Grayson County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Grayson County's tornado risk is at the 71th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grayson County is at the 48th 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 Grayson County higher risk than average?
Grayson County's composite risk score of 45th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (71th percentile), along with earthquake 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

Fulton County

Kentucky

+1.5

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Union County

Kentucky

-2.5

Very Low

43th percentile

Rowan County

Kentucky

+2.6

Relatively Low

48th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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