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

Lyon County Disaster Risk

Lyon County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#87

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% 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 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lyon County, Kentucky

Lyon County maintains very low risk

Lyon County's composite risk score of 28.88 is 35% below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, making it one of the state's safest counties for natural disasters. This very low rating reflects minimal overall hazard exposure.

Safer than Kentucky average

Lyon County ranks in the lower-risk tier statewide with a composite score of 28.88, about one-third below the state average of 44.21. The county benefits particularly from very low wildfire (12.75) and flood (18.16) exposure compared to Kentucky norms.

Comparable to regional peers

Lyon County (28.88) ranks slightly higher-risk than Livingston County (27.13) but significantly safer than Logan County (54.64), making it one of the region's lower-risk areas. The county's low wildfire and flood scores provide distinct advantages over many Kentucky counties.

Earthquake and tornado pose risks

Earthquake risk (82.00) and tornado risk (48.03) are Lyon County's most elevated hazards, though the county's overall risk remains very low. Flood risk (18.16) and wildfire risk (12.75) are exceptionally low compared to state averages, while hurricane risk (17.81) remains minimal.

Consider earthquake coverage option

Lyon County's very low composite risk score means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Given the county's elevated earthquake risk score of 82.00, consider consulting your insurance agent about earthquake coverage options as an additional protective measure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lyon County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    18th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lyon County

Risk Verdict

Lyon County's overall natural disaster score at the 29th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Residents of Lyon County can use the 29th 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 Lyon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (18th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 82th percentile nationally puts Lyon County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Tornado at the 48th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Lyon County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Lyon County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Lyon County's composite risk score sits 15.3 points below the Kentucky county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Lyon 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 Lyon County, KY?
Lyon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Lyon County?
Lyon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (82th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), hurricane (18th percentile), wildfire (13th 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 Lyon County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Lyon County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lyon County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Lyon County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Lyon County's earthquake risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lyon County is at the 18th 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 Lyon County a safe place to live?
Lyon County's composite risk score of 29th 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

Hancock County

Kentucky

-0.1

Very Low

29th percentile

Todd County

Kentucky

-0.3

Very Low

29th percentile

Webster County

Kentucky

+0.3

Very Low

29th 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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