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

Hickman County Disaster Risk

Hickman County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#71

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hickman County, Kentucky

Hickman County sits below state average

Hickman County's composite risk score of 35.81 earns a Very Low rating and runs slightly below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. The county ranks in the safer tier of Kentucky regions overall.

Well-protected among Kentucky counties

Hickman County maintains a Very Low risk classification among Kentucky's 120 counties. Its score reflects relatively low exposure to tornadoes and floods, though earthquake risk is elevated.

Comparable to Harrison, safer than Hart

Hickman County's 35.81 score aligns closely with Harrison County (33.78) but trails Hart County (41.13). The similarity reflects comparable tornado and flood profiles, though Hickman's earthquake risk (90.87) slightly exceeds Harrison's.

Earthquake risk is the primary concern

Earthquake risk dominates at 90.87, making it Hickman County's most significant hazard and among the highest in the state. Tornado risk (41.44) is moderate, while flood and wildfire risks remain relatively low.

Secure earthquake coverage now

Hickman County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's exceptionally high seismic risk (90.87)—nearly double the state average. This specialized coverage is not included in standard homeowners policies and should be obtained through a separate endorsement or policy.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hickman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hickman County

Risk Verdict

Hickman County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 36th percentile nationally. A 36th percentile score positions Hickman County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Hickman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (38th percentile), flood (9th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Hickman County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Hickman County's tornado risk at the 41th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Hickman County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Kentucky county average exceeds Hickman County's score by 8.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Hickman 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 Hickman County, KY?
Hickman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Hickman County?
Hickman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (91th percentile), tornado (41th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), flooding (9th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 91th 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 Hickman County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Hickman County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hickman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Hickman County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Hickman County's earthquake risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hickman County is at the 9th 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 Hickman County a safe place to live?
Hickman County's composite risk score of 36th 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 earthquake at the 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Rockcastle County

Kentucky

+0.3

Very Low

36th percentile

Magoffin County

Kentucky

-0.8

Very Low

35th percentile

Casey County

Kentucky

+1.2

Very Low

37th 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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