Taylor County Disaster Risk
Taylor County, Kentucky
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
39th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#67
of 120 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
41th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% 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 67% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Taylor County, Kentucky
Taylor County's disaster risk compared nationally
Taylor County scores 38.71 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and falling below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This positions Taylor as a relatively safe county compared to many American communities.
Where Taylor ranks among Kentucky counties
Taylor County's composite risk score of 38.71 places it in Kentucky's safer tier, with below-average exposure to major hazards. Taylor residents benefit from substantially lower natural disaster risk than the state median.
How Taylor compares to nearby counties
Taylor's 38.71 score sits safely below Scott County (56.08) and Shelby County (61.86), but above Spencer County (13.33) and Todd County (28.56). Taylor occupies a moderate position within the regional risk landscape, offering reasonable protection compared to higher-risk neighbors.
Taylor's primary natural disaster threats
Tornadoes pose Taylor's greatest hazard risk at 68.89, warranting serious preparedness attention. Earthquakes rank second at 67.21, creating secondary but meaningful ground-shaking exposure.
Prepare Taylor County homes thoughtfully
Taylor's moderate tornado and earthquake risks suggest adding wind and earthquake coverage to standard homeowners policies. Flood insurance is also worth reviewing, given Taylor's 40.62 flood risk score indicating real water damage potential.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Taylor County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Taylor County
Risk Verdict
Taylor County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 39th percentile nationally. At the 39th percentile, Taylor County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Taylor County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (41th percentile), hurricane (38th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado risk is Taylor County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 69th percentile nationally. For Taylor County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. Alongside tornado exposure, earthquake at the 67th percentile nationally means Taylor County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Taylor County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.
Regional Context
The Kentucky county average exceeds Taylor County's score by 5.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Taylor County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Taylor County, KY?
What types of natural hazards affect Taylor County?
How does Taylor County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Is Taylor County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Taylor County a safe place to live?
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.