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

Henry County Disaster Risk

Henry County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#107

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Henry County, Kentucky

Henry County is Kentucky's safest

Henry County's composite risk score of 15.74 is the lowest in this analysis and less than half Kentucky's state average of 44.21. The county ranks among the nation's lowest-risk regions for natural disasters.

Top tier for natural disaster safety

Henry County's Very Low rating places it at the very top of Kentucky's 120 counties for disaster risk protection. Residents face the lowest multi-hazard exposure in the commonwealth.

Exceptionally safer than region

Henry County's 15.74 score dramatically outperforms all nearby counties, including Harrison (33.78), Hart (41.13), and Hickman (35.81). The disparity reflects unusually low exposure across all five major hazard types.

Minimal hazards across the board

Tornado risk (50.16) represents Henry County's highest single hazard, still well below state norms. All other perils—earthquakes, floods, and wildfire—score substantially below Kentucky averages.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Henry County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners coverage typically provides adequate protection for most residents. However, those in rare flood-prone areas should verify coverage and those wanting earthquake protection should ask their agent about endorsements.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Henry County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    50th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Henry County

Risk Verdict

Henry County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 16th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Henry County can use the 16th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Henry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 50th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (27th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Henry County's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 50th percentile nationally. In Henry County, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 43th percentile nationally means Henry County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Henry County residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Henry County households.

Regional Context

Compared to the Kentucky county average, Henry County's composite score runs 28.5 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Henry 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 Henry County, KY?
Henry County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Henry County?
Henry County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (50th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 50th 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 Henry County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Henry County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Henry County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Henry County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Henry County's tornado risk is at the 50th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Henry County is at the 27th 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 Henry County a safe place to live?
Henry County's composite risk score of 16th 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 50th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.