riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Mercer County Disaster Risk

Mercer County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

41th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Mercer County

Risk Verdict

Mercer County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 41th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Mercer County, scoring in the 69th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 58th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (53th), hurricane (33th), wildfire (11th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Mercer County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Mercer County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is within 2.8 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Kentucky as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Mercer County, KY?
Mercer 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 Mercer County?
Mercer County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (69th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 69th 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 Mercer County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Mercer 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 Mercer County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Mercer County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Mercer County's tornado risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Mercer County is at the 53th 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 Mercer County a safe place to live?
Mercer 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 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lewis County

Kentucky

+0.1

Very Low

41th percentile

Boyle County

Kentucky

+0.2

Very Low

42th percentile

Hart County

Kentucky

-0.3

Very Low

41th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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