Laurel County Disaster Risk
Laurel County, Kentucky
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
72th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#22
of 120 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
65th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Laurel County, Kentucky
Laurel faces above-average U.S. risk
Laurel County's composite risk score of 71.66 exceeds the national average, with a "Relatively Low" rating. This mountain county experiences moderate-to-high natural hazard exposure across multiple categories.
Among Kentucky's highest-risk counties
Laurel's score of 71.66 substantially exceeds Kentucky's 44.21 state average, ranking it near the top statewide. Its mountainous terrain and forest coverage drive vulnerability across multiple hazards.
Wildfire and tornado risk dominate region
Laurel County's wildfire risk of 89.50 is the highest among neighboring Rockcastle and Knox counties. Its tornado risk of 83.52 also ranks among the region's greatest threats.
Wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes
Wildfire risk at 89.50 and tornado risk at 83.52 are Laurel's critical hazards, followed by earthquake risk at 77.26. Flood risk at 64.95 adds a fourth significant threat across the county.
Comprehensive disaster insurance critical
Wildfire preparedness is essential—create defensible space and upgrade to fire-resistant roofing and siding materials. Combine this with robust flood and earthquake coverage, plus a documented homeowners policy with sufficient wind protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Laurel County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Laurel County
Risk Verdict
Laurel County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 72th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Laurel County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Laurel County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (77th percentile), flood (65th percentile), hurricane (51th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 90th percentile nationally for wildfire, Laurel County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary tornado exposure at the 84th percentile nationally means Laurel County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Laurel County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 27.5 points above the Kentucky state average puts Laurel County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Laurel County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Laurel County, KY?
What types of natural hazards affect Laurel County?
How does Laurel County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Is Laurel County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Laurel County higher risk than average?
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.