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

Meade County Disaster Risk

Meade County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

45th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Meade County, Kentucky

Meade faces very low national risk

At 40.90, Meade County's composite risk score puts it well below the national average, earning a Very Low rating. The county's hazard profile is broadly manageable across most disaster types.

Slightly below Kentucky average

Meade's 40.90 sits just below the state mean of 44.21, ranking the county among Kentucky's safer areas. This modest advantage reflects balanced but generally low vulnerability statewide.

Tornado risk outpaces nearby peers

Meade's tornado risk of 75.92 significantly exceeds neighboring McLean (37.56) and Mercer (69.12), making severe weather the county's defining hazard. Flood risk (45.20) and earthquake threat (61.29) remain secondary concerns.

Tornado risk stands out sharply

Meade County faces elevated tornado danger at 75.92—well above the state average—requiring serious preparation and awareness during severe weather season. Earthquake (61.29) and flood (45.20) risks remain substantially lower but warrant baseline preparedness.

Prioritize tornado and wind coverage

Your homeowners policy covers tornado damage, but verify it includes full wind and hail protection given Meade's elevated tornado risk. A separate flood policy is essential if your property sits in a FEMA flood zone or low-lying area.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Meade County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    45th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Meade County

Risk Verdict

At the 41th percentile nationally, Meade County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Meade County can use the 41th 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

Tornado risk is Meade County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (45th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Meade County ranks at the 76th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Meade County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 61th percentile nationally means Meade County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Meade County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 3.3 points from the Kentucky average, making Meade County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Meade 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 Meade County, KY?
Meade County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 41th 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 Meade County?
Meade County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (76th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), flooding (45th percentile), hurricane (15th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 76th 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 Meade County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Meade County's composite risk percentile is 41th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Meade County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Meade County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Meade County's tornado risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Meade County is at the 45th 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 Meade County a safe place to live?
Meade County's composite risk score of 41th 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 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

McLean County

Kentucky

-0.2

Very Low

41th percentile

Hart County

Kentucky

+0.2

Very Low

41th percentile

Mercer County

Kentucky

+0.5

Very Low

41th 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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