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

Larue County Disaster Risk

Larue County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

12th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#112

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% 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

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Larue County, Kentucky

Larue ranks among America's safest

Larue County's composite risk score of 12.44 is exceptionally low, well below the national average, with a "Very Low" rating. Few counties in the nation enjoy comparable protection from natural disasters.

Kentucky's lowest-risk county

Larue's score of 12.44 is the lowest among all Kentucky counties, dramatically below the state average of 44.21. This rural central Kentucky county offers some of the most stable natural disaster conditions statewide.

Safest county in region by far

Larue's 12.44 score outperforms all neighboring counties, including Marion, Hardin, and Nelson counties. It stands as an outlier of safety in central Kentucky.

Tornado risk remains manageable

Tornado risk at 36.26 is Larue's primary hazard, though still low compared to state averages. Earthquake risk (50.80) and flood risk (22.87) are well-controlled secondary concerns.

Standard coverage suffices for peace of mind

Larue County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance provides solid baseline protection. Maintain a family storm plan for tornado season and review your policy annually for adequate coverage limits.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Larue County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    25th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Larue County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Larue County ranks at the 12th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Residents of Larue County can use the 12th 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

Earthquake risk is Larue County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (25th percentile), flood (23th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 51th percentile nationally, Larue County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Larue County's tornado risk at the 36th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Larue County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

At 31.8 points below the Kentucky state average, Larue County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Larue 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 Larue County, KY?
Larue County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 12th 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 Larue County?
Larue County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (51th percentile), tornado (36th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 51th 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 Larue County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Larue County's composite risk percentile is 12th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Larue County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Larue County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Larue County's earthquake risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Larue County is at the 23th 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 Larue County a safe place to live?
Larue County's composite risk score of 12th 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 51th 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.