riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Jefferson County Disaster Risk

Jefferson County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

98th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

99th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Jefferson County

Risk Verdict

Jefferson County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Jefferson County, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 99th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (97th), wildfire (56th), hurricane (36th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Jefferson County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Jefferson County is significantly riskier than the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is 54.1 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jefferson County, KY?
Jefferson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 98th 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (100th percentile), flooding (99th percentile), earthquake (97th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile), hurricane (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 100th 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 Jefferson County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Jefferson County's composite risk percentile is 98th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jefferson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Jefferson County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jefferson County's tornado risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jefferson County is at the 99th 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 Jefferson County higher risk than average?
Jefferson County's composite risk score of 98th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and wildfire 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

Floyd County

Kentucky

-4.1

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Fayette County

Kentucky

-6.2

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

McCracken County

Kentucky

-8.6

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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