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

Hancock County Disaster Risk

Hancock County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#88

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 5% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% 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 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hancock County, Kentucky

Hancock County enjoys low disaster risk

Hancock County scores 28.75 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, substantially below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This represents one of Kentucky's safer profiles for natural disaster exposure.

Well below Kentucky's average risk

Hancock County ranks in Kentucky's lower-risk tier, with its 28.75 score placing it safely below the state mean. The county avoids the elevated risks that characterize many other Kentucky regions.

Comparable to nearby low-risk counties

Hancock County's 28.75 score mirrors nearby Grant County (16.29) and outperforms Grayson County (45.26). Both Grant and Hancock counties offer well-below-average disaster risk for the region.

Earthquake and flood are secondary concerns

Earthquake risk at 70.42 is Hancock County's highest score, followed by flood risk at 48.25—both still below Kentucky's state average in overall impact. Tornado risk at 34.35 rounds out the county's modest hazard profile.

Standard coverage meets most needs

Hancock County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with tornado coverage as baseline protection, though the county's low overall risk means comprehensive riders are less critical. Flood insurance remains a prudent addition for riverside properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hancock County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    34th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hancock County

Risk Verdict

Hancock County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 29th percentile nationally. The 29th percentile national ranking is one lens; Hancock County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Hancock County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (34th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Hancock County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. The county's flood risk at the 48th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Hancock County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Kentucky county average exceeds Hancock County's score by 15.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Hancock 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 Hancock County, KY?
Hancock County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Hancock County?
Hancock County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (70th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 70th 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 Hancock County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Hancock County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hancock County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Hancock County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Hancock County's earthquake risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hancock 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.
Is Hancock County a safe place to live?
Hancock County's composite risk score of 29th 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 earthquake at the 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lyon County

Kentucky

+0.1

Very Low

29th percentile

Todd County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

29th percentile

Webster County

Kentucky

+0.5

Very Low

29th 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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