Lincoln County Disaster Risk
Lincoln County, Kentucky
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
33th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#76
of 120 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
44th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Kentucky
Lincoln County poses minimal disaster risk
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 32.57 falls 26% below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, marking it as very low risk nationally. Residents face below-average exposure to major natural disaster hazards.
Lower-risk Kentucky county
Lincoln County ranks in the lower-risk half of Kentucky with a composite score of 32.57, about 26% below the state average. The county's position reflects generally manageable hazard exposure for most of its residents.
Comparable to surrounding counties
Lincoln County (32.57) has similar risk to neighboring Leslie County (31.71) and Lewis County (41.48), making it a moderate-risk area regionally. All three counties face lower hazard exposure than Letcher County (66.60) to the east.
Earthquake risk stands out most
Earthquake risk (57.38) is Lincoln County's most elevated hazard, significantly exceeding the state average, though the county's overall risk remains low. Tornado risk (39.63) and hurricane risk (42.47) also rank above state norms, while flood risk (44.21) sits at the state average and wildfire risk (24.33) remains low.
Earthquake insurance merits consideration
Lincoln County residents should review their homeowners policies carefully, particularly regarding earthquake coverage given the county's elevated risk score of 57.38. Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most hazards, but consider additional earthquake protection if your home's construction predates modern seismic codes.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lincoln County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lincoln County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Lincoln County ranks at the 33th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 33th percentile, Lincoln County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (42th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 57th percentile nationally, Lincoln County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Flood at the 44th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Lincoln County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Lincoln 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 11.6 points below the Kentucky state average, Lincoln County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Lincoln County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lincoln County, KY?
What types of natural hazards affect Lincoln County?
How does Lincoln County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Is Lincoln County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Lincoln County a safe place to live?
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.