riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Hancock County

Risk Verdict

Hancock County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 29th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Hancock County, scoring in the 70th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 48th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (34th), hurricane (15th), wildfire (5th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Hancock County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Hancock County is notably safer than the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is 15.5 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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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 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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