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

Greenup County Disaster Risk

Greenup County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

68th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greenup County, Kentucky

Greenup County faces elevated risks

Greenup County scores 52.61 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, exceeding Kentucky's state average of 44.21 by roughly 19%. This reflects above-average exposure to multiple natural disaster hazards.

Upper-middle risk tier in Kentucky

Greenup County ranks in the upper-middle portion of Kentucky's disaster risk distribution, with its 52.61 score placing it notably above the state average. Approximately one-third of Kentucky counties face comparable or greater risk.

Notably riskier than nearby counties

Greenup County's 52.61 score substantially exceeds surrounding Grayson County (45.26) and significantly tops Grant County (16.29). Its flood risk of 68.45 is particularly pronounced compared to regional peers.

Flooding and wildfire are major threats

Flood risk at 68.45 is Greenup County's leading hazard, followed by wildfire risk at 40.24—both well above Kentucky's state average. Tornado risk at 41.54 adds a third significant concern for county residents.

Flood insurance is strongly recommended

Greenup County residents should prioritize flood insurance alongside standard homeowners coverage, given the county's flood risk of 68.45. Adding wildfire and tornado riders further strengthens protection against the county's diverse hazard profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greenup County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Greenup County

Risk Verdict

At the 53th percentile nationally, Greenup County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Greenup County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Greenup County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Greenup County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary earthquake exposure at the 43th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Greenup County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Greenup County falls 8.4 points above Kentucky's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Greenup 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 Greenup County, KY?
Greenup County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 Greenup County?
Greenup County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (68th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 68th 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 Greenup County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Greenup County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Greenup County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Greenup County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Greenup County's flooding risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 Greenup County higher risk than average?
Greenup County's composite risk score of 53th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (68th percentile). 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.