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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grayson County, Kentucky

Grayson County: slightly above-average risk

Grayson County scores 45.26 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, just above Kentucky's state average of 44.21. It represents a moderate-risk profile for the nation's standards.

Middle-of-the-road Kentucky risk profile

Grayson County ranks near Kentucky's median disaster risk, with its 45.26 score clustering it among the state's average-risk counties. It avoids both the highest and lowest risk tiers statewide.

Riskier than Grant, safer than Graves

Grayson County's 45.26 score positions it between nearby Grant County (16.29) and Graves County (83.97). Its flood risk of 48.28 and tornado risk of 70.77 exceed Grant County's but fall short of Graves County's extremes.

Tornados and earthquakes top the list

Tornado risk at 70.77 is Grayson County's leading hazard, followed closely by earthquake risk at 70.29. Flooding at 48.28 rounds out the county's top three concerns.

Standard coverage plus earthquake rider

Grayson County homeowners should obtain standard homeowners insurance with both tornado and earthquake riders to address the county's primary hazards. Adding flood insurance strengthens protection, especially in flood-prone zones.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grayson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    71th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    70th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    48th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grayson County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 45th, Grayson County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. A 45th percentile score positions Grayson County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Grayson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (48th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 71th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Grayson County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 70th percentile nationally means Grayson County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Grayson County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

Grayson County tracks the Kentucky county average closely, sitting 1.1 composite points above the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Kentucky.

Is your household prepared for Grayson 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 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.
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.