Scott County Disaster Risk
Scott County, Kentucky
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
56th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#35
of 120 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
58th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Scott County, Kentucky
Scott County's disaster risk compared nationally
Scott County scores 56.08 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating—above the state average of 44.21 but well below the most hazard-prone U.S. counties. This means Scott faces moderate natural disaster threats, but residents enjoy better protection than many regions nationwide.
Where Scott ranks among Kentucky counties
Scott County's composite risk score of 56.08 places it in the higher-risk tier within Kentucky, driven primarily by strong tornado and earthquake exposure. Among the state's 120 counties, Scott faces notably higher hazard exposure than most of its neighbors.
How Scott compares to nearby counties
Scott's 56.08 composite risk score exceeds Shelby County's 61.86 and Trimble County's 11.90, reflecting moderately elevated tornado and earthquake threats. Compared to Todd County (28.56) and Taylor County (38.71), Scott residents face substantially greater disaster risk across multiple hazard types.
Scott's top two natural disaster threats
Tornadoes pose the biggest risk to Scott County residents, with a tornado risk score of 80.53—far exceeding the state average. Earthquakes rank second at 75.45, making Scott particularly vulnerable to ground shaking during seismic events.
Secure your Scott County home today
Given Scott's elevated tornado and earthquake exposure, homeowners should prioritize comprehensive coverage beyond standard policies. Consider reviewing your flood insurance options as well, since Scott's flood risk score of 58.14 indicates real exposure to water-related damage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Scott County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Scott County
Risk Verdict
Scott County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 56th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Scott County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Scott County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (58th percentile), hurricane (37th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 81th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Scott County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Scott County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Scott County at the 75th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. Scott 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
A composite score 11.9 points above the Kentucky state average puts Scott County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Scott County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Scott County, KY?
What types of natural hazards affect Scott County?
How does Scott County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Is Scott County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Scott County higher risk than average?
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.