riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Muhlenberg County Disaster Risk

Muhlenberg County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Muhlenberg County

Risk Verdict

Muhlenberg County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 53th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Muhlenberg County, scoring in the 86th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 55th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (46th), hurricane (30th), wildfire (18th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Muhlenberg County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as tornado 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

Muhlenberg County is significantly riskier than the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is 9 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Muhlenberg County, KY?
Muhlenberg County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 Muhlenberg County?
Muhlenberg County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (86th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), hurricane (30th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 86th 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 Muhlenberg County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Muhlenberg County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Muhlenberg County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Muhlenberg County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Muhlenberg County's earthquake risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Muhlenberg County is at the 46th 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.
Why is Muhlenberg County higher risk than average?
Muhlenberg County's composite risk score of 53th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (86th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lawrence County

Kentucky

+0.0

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Carter County

Kentucky

-0.5

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Greenup County

Kentucky

-0.6

Relatively Low

53th 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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