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

Mason County Disaster Risk

Mason County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% 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 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mason County, Kentucky

Mason is well below national disaster risk

Mason County's composite risk score of 39.19 places it in the 'very low' category, substantially below the national average of 50.19. Wildfire risk is exceptionally minimal at 6.55—among the lowest in the nation—making Mason one of Kentucky's safest overall counties.

Mason ranks among Kentucky's safest counties

Mason's composite score of 39.19 falls below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, positioning it as one of the commonwealth's lower-risk areas. The county's negligible wildfire risk of 6.55 is a standout—the lowest among its regional peers.

Mason is safer than Madison but comparable to Marion

Mason's score of 39.19 closely mirrors nearby Marion County (30.22) while being substantially lower than Madison County (74.84). Both Mason and Marion offer residents well-below-average disaster risk, making them among the state's most favorable locations.

Tornadoes and flooding pose modest concerns

Tornado risk at 57.86 is Mason's highest hazard, though it remains below state averages for that threat. Flooding (56.17) is a secondary concern during seasonal wet periods, while wildfire exposure is negligible.

Maintain basic tornado and flood preparedness

Despite low overall risk, ensure you have a tornado safe room or basement shelter for severe weather season and keep gutters clear to manage seasonal drainage. Standard homeowner's insurance adequately covers tornado damage, but consider flood coverage if you're in a mapped floodplain.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mason County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    54th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Mason County

Risk Verdict

Mason County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 39th percentile nationally. Mason County residents can take confidence from a 39th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Mason County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (54th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Mason County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 58th percentile nationally. For Mason County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Flood is the second hazard driver for Mason County at the 56th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Mason County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

The Kentucky county average exceeds Mason County's score by 5.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Mason 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 Mason County, KY?
Mason County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Mason County?
Mason County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (58th percentile), flooding (56th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile), hurricane (35th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 58th 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 Mason County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Mason County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Mason County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Mason County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Mason County's tornado risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Mason County is at the 56th 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 Mason County a safe place to live?
Mason County's composite risk score of 39th 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 tornado at the 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.