Letcher County Disaster Risk
Letcher County, Kentucky
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
67th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#27
of 120 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Letcher County, Kentucky
Letcher County faces elevated hazard exposure
Letcher County's composite risk score of 66.60 exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21 by 51%, placing it in the relatively low risk category nationally. This above-average exposure stems primarily from the county's mountainous terrain and vegetation patterns.
Highest risk among its peers
Letcher County ranks among Kentucky's higher-risk counties with a composite score of 66.60, nearly 50% above the state average. The county faces more significant hazard exposure than most other Kentucky counties, particularly for flooding and wildfires.
Letcher's risks far exceed neighbors
Letcher County's score of 66.60 dramatically exceeds neighboring Leslie County (31.71) and Lee County (7.51), making it the highest-risk county in its region. Flood risk of 83.11 and wildfire risk of 76.49 are particularly elevated compared to surrounding areas.
Flooding and wildfire dominate the threat
Flood risk (83.11) and wildfire risk (76.49) are Letcher County's most serious natural disaster threats, each far exceeding state averages. Earthquake risk (52.48) and hurricane risk (41.18) also exceed state norms, while tornado risk (27.83) remains more moderate.
Flood and wildfire insurance critical
Letcher County residents must prioritize flood insurance due to the county's exceptionally high flood risk of 83.11. Homeowners in or near forested areas should also carefully review wildfire coverage, as the county's wildfire risk of 76.49 places it among Kentucky's most vulnerable areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Letcher County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Letcher County
Risk Verdict
Letcher County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Letcher County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Letcher County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (52th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile), tornado (28th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Letcher County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. The county's second-ranked hazard, wildfire at the 76th percentile nationally, means Letcher County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. For most Letcher County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
Letcher County's composite risk score sits 22.4 points above the Kentucky county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Letcher County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Letcher County, KY?
What types of natural hazards affect Letcher County?
How does Letcher County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Is Letcher County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Letcher 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.