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

Knox County Disaster Risk

Knox County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

75th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#16

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Knox County, Kentucky

Knox faces elevated national risk

Knox County's composite risk score of 74.71 exceeds the national average substantially, with a "Relatively Low" rating. This Appalachian county experiences moderate-to-high exposure across multiple natural hazards.

High-risk county for Kentucky

Knox's score of 74.71 far exceeds Kentucky's 44.21 state average, ranking it among the state's highest-risk counties. Elevation and forest cover drive much of this elevated hazard profile.

Wildfire risk leads mountain counties

Knox County's wildfire risk of 84.73 is the highest among neighboring Laurel, Rockcastle, and Clay counties. Its earthquake risk of 70.23 also exceeds most peer counties in the region.

Wildfires and earthquakes are critical

Wildfire risk at 84.73 and earthquake risk at 70.23 dominate Knox County's hazard profile. Tornado risk at 61.42 and flood risk at 71.66 add substantial secondary threats.

Multi-layer insurance strategy essential

Wildfire risk demands aggressive property hardening—clear defensible space and use fire-rated materials on roof and siding. Secure earthquake coverage through your agent, bundled with flood and comprehensive homeowners policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Knox County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    70th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Knox County

Risk Verdict

Knox County ranks at the 75th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Knox County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (70th percentile), tornado (61th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Knox County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Knox County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's flood exposure at the 72th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Knox County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

Compared to other Kentucky counties, Knox County runs 30.5 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Knox 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 Knox County, KY?
Knox County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 75th 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 Knox County?
Knox County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), flooding (72th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile), tornado (61th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Knox County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Knox County's composite risk percentile is 75th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Knox County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Knox County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Knox County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Knox County is at the 72th 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 Knox County higher risk than average?
Knox County's composite risk score of 75th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (85th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake 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

Madison County

Kentucky

+0.1

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Boyd County

Kentucky

+0.2

Relatively Low

75th percentile

Boone County

Kentucky

-0.3

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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