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

Henderson County Disaster Risk

Henderson County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#19

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Henderson County, Kentucky

Henderson County significantly exceeds state risk

Henderson County's composite risk score of 73.16 earns a Relatively Low rating but dramatically exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21—a 65% higher exposure. The county faces notably elevated multi-hazard risk compared to most of the commonwealth.

Among Kentucky's highest-risk counties

Henderson County ranks in the upper tier of Kentucky's 120 counties for natural disaster risk. Its Relatively Low rating reflects meaningful exposure to earthquakes and floods that dwarf hazards in safer regions.

Distinctly riskier than surrounding areas

Henderson County's 73.16 score far exceeds nearby Harrison County (33.78) and Hart County (41.13), making it the highest-risk county in the immediate region. The elevated earthquake risk (92.94) and flood exposure (74.94) drive this disparity.

Earthquake and flood risks dominate

Earthquake risk peaks at 92.94—among the state's highest—with flood risk following at 74.94, reflecting Henderson County's proximity to the Ohio River and seismic fault zones. Tornado risk (56.49) adds a third significant threat.

Essential: flood and earthquake insurance

Henderson County residents must prioritize flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if in mapped risk zones and should strongly purchase earthquake coverage—both perils are routinely excluded from standard homeowners policies. Don't delay securing these critical protections.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Henderson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    56th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Henderson County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Henderson County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 73th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Henderson County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Henderson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (56th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 93th percentile nationally puts Henderson County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Flood at the 75th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Henderson County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Henderson County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Henderson County is 28.9 composite risk points above the Kentucky average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Henderson 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 Henderson County, KY?
Henderson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th 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 Henderson County?
Henderson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (93th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), hurricane (29th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 93th 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 Henderson County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Henderson County's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Henderson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Henderson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Henderson County's earthquake risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Henderson County is at the 75th 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 Henderson County higher risk than average?
Henderson County's composite risk score of 73th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (93th percentile), along with flooding and tornado 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

Perry County

Kentucky

+0.1

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Hopkins County

Kentucky

-0.6

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Boone County

Kentucky

+1.3

Relatively Low

74th 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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