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

Hart County Disaster Risk

Hart County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hart County, Kentucky

Hart County sits just above state average

Hart County's composite risk score of 41.13 earns a Very Low rating, though it runs slightly below Kentucky's average of 44.21. The county remains in the lower-risk tier nationally for multi-hazard exposure.

Well-positioned in Kentucky rankings

Hart County maintains a Very Low risk classification among Kentucky's 120 counties, reflecting moderate hazard exposure across earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods. Its score places it safely in the lower-risk half statewide.

More vulnerable than Harrison County

Hart County's 41.13 score trails Harrison County (33.78) but significantly outpaces Henderson County's 73.16. The difference reflects Hart County's slightly elevated earthquake risk (63.49) compared to its western neighbor.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead the hazards

Earthquake risk reaches 63.49 in Hart County, the dominant threat, followed closely by tornado risk at 63.84. Flood risk (49.71) presents a meaningful secondary concern for communities near water.

Prioritize earthquake and tornado coverage

Hart County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes tornado protection and strongly consider standalone earthquake insurance given the county's elevated seismic risk. Most standard policies exclude earthquake damage entirely.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hart County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hart County

Risk Verdict

Hart County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 41th percentile nationally. Hart County's 41th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Hart County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (50th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 64th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Hart County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. The secondary earthquake hazard at the 63th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Hart County's preparedness calendar, since earthquake and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Hart County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

Hart County tracks the Kentucky county average closely, sitting 3.1 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within Kentucky.

Is your household prepared for Hart 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 Hart County, KY?
Hart County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 41th 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 Hart County?
Hart County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (64th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 64th 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 Hart County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Hart County's composite risk percentile is 41th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hart County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Hart County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Hart County's tornado risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hart County is at the 50th 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 Hart County a safe place to live?
Hart County's composite risk score of 41th 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 tornado at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Meade County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

41th percentile

Mercer County

Kentucky

+0.3

Very Low

41th percentile

Lewis County

Kentucky

+0.3

Very Low

41th 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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