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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mercer County, Kentucky

Mercer sits below national risk average

Mercer County's 41.41 composite risk score places it comfortably below the national average as Very Low risk. The county's hazard profile remains generally manageable across all disaster categories.

Slightly below Kentucky's mean

At 41.41, Mercer scores just below Kentucky's 44.21 average, positioning the county in the safer half statewide. This proximity to the state mean reflects relatively balanced hazard exposure.

High tornado risk among peers

Mercer's tornado risk of 69.12 trails only Meade County (75.92) in the immediate region, making severe weather the defining local threat. Flood (53.31) and earthquake (58.40) risks remain secondary but noteworthy concerns.

Tornado dominates Mercer's hazard profile

Tornado risk at 69.12 is Mercer's primary concern, significantly exceeding wildfire (11.01) and flood (53.31) threats. Earthquake risk of 58.40 adds moderate concern but poses less immediate danger than severe weather.

Wind and flood coverage essential

Confirm your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind and hail protection, as tornado danger is substantial in Mercer. Add flood insurance if your property is within a mapped floodplain or historic flood zone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mercer County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    69th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    53th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Mercer County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Mercer County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 41th percentile. Being ranked at the 41th percentile nationally is an advantage for Mercer County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Mercer County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (53th percentile), hurricane (33th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ranked at the 69th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Mercer County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Mercer County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Mercer County at the 58th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. Mercer County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.

Regional Context

Mercer County's composite risk score is within 2.8 points of the Kentucky county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Mercer 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 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 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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