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

Warren County Disaster Risk

Warren County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

88th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

87th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Kentucky

Warren County faces above-average disaster risk

Warren County's composite risk score of 88.49 places it in the Relatively Moderate category and significantly above the national average for natural disasters. This county experiences elevated exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and flooding.

Highest-risk county in Kentucky

Warren County's score of 88.49 far exceeds Kentucky's average of 44.21, making it the state's most disaster-prone county. Its tornado risk of 93.10 and flood risk of 87.34 are among the highest in Kentucky.

Dramatically riskier than surrounding areas

Warren County's risk score of 88.49 dwarfs nearby Edmonson, Hart, and Simpson counties' much lower profiles. Even Whitley County (62.21) to the southeast carries significantly less risk, making Warren's hazard exposure notably regional.

Tornadoes and floods dominate Warren's threats

Tornado risk of 93.10 is among Kentucky's highest; Warren sits in a storm corridor vulnerable to supercell development. Flood risk of 87.34 reflects the county's proximity to creeks and seasonal wet conditions that can trigger rapid overflow.

Invest in comprehensive flood and storm coverage

Warren County residents need flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program—standard policies don't cover water damage. Identify safe rooms or shelters for tornado events and consider impact-resistant windows and reinforced roofing in high-exposure areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Warren County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    91th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    87th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Warren County

Risk Verdict

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Warren County at the 88th percentile nationally — above average and worth proactive preparation. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (87th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 93th percentile nationally, Warren County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Warren County at the 91th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. For Warren County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Warren County is 44.3 composite risk points above the Kentucky average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Warren 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 Warren County, KY?
Warren County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 88th 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 Warren County?
Warren County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (93th percentile), earthquake (91th percentile), flooding (87th percentile), hurricane (44th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 93th 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 Warren County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Warren County's composite risk percentile is 88th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Warren County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Warren County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Warren County's tornado risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Warren County is at the 87th 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 Warren County higher risk than average?
Warren County's composite risk score of 88th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (93th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding 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

Daviess County

Kentucky

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

Pike County

Kentucky

-0.6

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

McCracken County

Kentucky

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

90th 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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