Harrison County Disaster Risk
Harrison County, Kentucky
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
34th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#74
of 120 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
49th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Harrison County, Kentucky
Harrison County's low risk profile
Harrison County scores 33.78 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This places the county among the safer regions for natural disaster risk in the commonwealth.
Top-tier safety ranking in Kentucky
Harrison County ranks favorably among Kentucky's 120 counties for overall natural disaster risk. Its Very Low rating reflects relatively moderate exposure across most hazard types compared to riskier counties statewide.
Safer than regional peers
Harrison County's 33.78 score outperforms neighboring Hart County (41.13) and significantly beats Henderson County (73.16). The county's advantageous position reflects lower-than-average exposure to earthquakes, floods, and severe weather.
Watch for tornadoes and earthquakes
Tornado risk reaches 63.33 in Harrison County, the highest hazard among the five tracked—meaningful but not extreme. Earthquake risk follows at 56.14, reflecting the county's location near mid-continent seismic zones.
Cover your basics with appropriate insurance
Despite a low overall risk profile, Harrison County residents should maintain homeowners insurance that covers tornado damage and consider earthquake coverage if living near fault lines. Standard policies often exclude both perils, leaving gaps in protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Harrison County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Harrison County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Harrison County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 34th percentile. At the 34th percentile, Harrison County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Harrison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (49th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 63th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Harrison County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Harrison County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 56th percentile nationally means Harrison County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Harrison County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
Harrison County is 10.4 composite risk points below the Kentucky state mean, meaning most other Kentucky counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Harrison County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Harrison County, KY?
What types of natural hazards affect Harrison County?
How does Harrison County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Is Harrison County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Harrison County a safe place to live?
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.