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

Robertson County Disaster Risk

Robertson County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#120

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Robertson County, Kentucky

Robertson County carries minimal national disaster risk

Robertson County's composite risk score of 1.65 ranks it as very low risk—among the lowest in the nation—and far below both the national median and Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This exceptional safety profile reflects the county's fortunate geography and minimal exposure across nearly all disaster categories.

Kentucky's safest county for natural disasters

Robertson County's score of 1.65 places it at the absolute bottom of Kentucky's 120 counties for composite disaster risk, making it the state's safest community by a significant margin. The county benefits from minimal exposure to earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe weather events.

Robertson stands alone as a low-risk refuge

Robertson County's 1.65 score is nearly 30 times lower than nearby Rowan County (47.90) and dramatically lower than any surrounding county, making it a geographic outlier for disaster safety. Even the state's second-safest counties score substantially higher, highlighting Robertson's exceptional resilience profile.

Tornado risk presents Robertson's modest vulnerability

Robertson County's most notable risk comes from tornadoes at 21.25, still well below state and national norms and representing minimal actual threat. All other hazard categories—including flood (6.55), wildfire (0.73), earthquake (27.70), and hurricane (11.60)—rank among the lowest measurable in Kentucky.

Standard homeowners coverage protects Robertson residents

Robertson County residents can rely on basic homeowners or renters insurance without special disaster endorsements, given the county's exceptionally low composite risk of 1.65. Families should still maintain awareness of weather alerts and a basic emergency kit as routine preparedness, though the county's risk environment is favorable.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Robertson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    28th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    21th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    12th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Robertson County

Risk Verdict

Robertson County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 2th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Robertson County residents can take confidence from a 2th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Robertson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 28th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 21th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (12th percentile), flood (7th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Robertson County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 28th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Robertson County's tornado risk at the 21th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. After a major earthquake, Robertson County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.

Regional Context

Compared to the Kentucky county average, Robertson County's composite score runs 42.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Robertson 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 Robertson County, KY?
Robertson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Robertson County?
Robertson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (28th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), hurricane (12th percentile), flooding (7th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 28th 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 Robertson County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Robertson County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Robertson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Robertson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Robertson County's earthquake risk is at the 28th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Robertson County is at the 7th 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 Robertson County a safe place to live?
Robertson County's composite risk score of 2th 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 earthquake at the 28th 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.