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

Hardin County Disaster Risk

Hardin County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

76th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

74th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hardin County, Kentucky

Hardin County faces significant disaster risk

Hardin County scores 75.51 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, exceeding Kentucky's state average of 44.21 by 71%. This represents one of Kentucky's higher natural disaster exposure zones.

Upper tier of Kentucky's risk profile

Hardin County ranks well above Kentucky's median disaster risk, with its 75.51 score positioning it in the state's higher-risk bracket. Only a subset of Kentucky counties face comparable overall hazard exposure.

Substantially riskier than nearby counties

Hardin County's 75.51 score markedly exceeds nearby Grant County (16.29) and Grayson County (45.26). Its tornado score of 84.19 is among the highest in the region.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate

Tornado risk at 84.19 is Hardin County's most pressing hazard, closely followed by earthquake risk at 84.57—both well above the state average. Flooding at 73.70 adds substantial secondary risk to the county profile.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Hardin County homeowners must prioritize homeowners insurance with robust tornado and earthquake riders, given the county's elevated scores in both hazards. Flood insurance is strongly recommended, particularly for properties in flood-prone areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hardin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    74th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hardin County

Risk Verdict

Hardin County ranks at the 76th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Hardin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (74th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hardin County ranks at the 85th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Hardin County's tornado risk at the 84th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Hardin County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Kentucky counties, Hardin County runs 31.3 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Hardin 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 Hardin County, KY?
Hardin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 76th 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 Hardin County?
Hardin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (85th percentile), tornado (84th percentile), flooding (74th percentile), hurricane (40th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 85th 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 Hardin County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Hardin County's composite risk percentile is 76th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hardin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Hardin County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Hardin County's earthquake risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hardin County is at the 74th 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 Hardin County higher risk than average?
Hardin County's composite risk score of 76th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (85th percentile), along with tornado and flooding 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

Calloway County

Kentucky

-0.2

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Boyd County

Kentucky

-0.6

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Madison County

Kentucky

-0.7

Relatively Low

75th 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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