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

Livingston County Disaster Risk

Livingston County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#90

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Livingston County, Kentucky

Livingston County enjoys very low risk

Livingston County's composite risk score of 27.13 is 39% below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it among the state's safest counties. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major natural disaster hazards.

Among Kentucky's safer counties

Livingston County ranks well below the state average with a composite score of 27.13, making it one of Kentucky's lower-risk counties. The county benefits from low wildfire (6.52) and flood (23.35) exposure compared to state norms.

Safest in its region overall

Livingston County (27.13) is the lowest-risk county in its region, even safer than nearby Lyon County (28.88) and significantly safer than Logan County (54.64). The county's low wildfire and flood scores provide distinct advantages over neighboring areas.

Earthquake and tornado need attention

Earthquake risk (82.06) and tornado risk (49.08) are Livingston County's most elevated hazards, though the county's overall risk remains very low. These scores reflect the county's location in a seismic zone and its exposure to severe weather patterns common to the region.

Standard coverage generally sufficient

Livingston County's very low composite risk score means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Consider adding earthquake coverage given the county's elevated earthquake risk score of 82.06, and review your policy's tornado protection annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Livingston County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    24th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Livingston County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Livingston County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 27th percentile. Livingston County's 27th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Livingston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (24th percentile), flood (23th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 82th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Livingston County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. The county's tornado risk at the 49th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For Livingston County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Livingston County is 17.1 composite risk points below the Kentucky state mean, meaning most other Kentucky counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Livingston 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 Livingston County, KY?
Livingston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Livingston County?
Livingston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (82th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), hurricane (24th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 82th 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 Livingston County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Livingston County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Livingston County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Livingston County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Livingston County's earthquake risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Livingston 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 Livingston County a safe place to live?
Livingston County's composite risk score of 27th 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 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Simpson County

Kentucky

-0.1

Very Low

27th percentile

Monroe County

Kentucky

-0.5

Very Low

27th percentile

Anderson County

Kentucky

-0.8

Very Low

26th 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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