riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Washington County Disaster Risk

Washington County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#105

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Washington County

Risk Verdict

Washington County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 17th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Washington County, scoring in the 53th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 49th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (28th), hurricane (26th), wildfire (11th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Washington County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Washington County is notably safer than the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is 27.5 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, KY?
Washington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Washington County?
Washington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (53th percentile), earthquake (49th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), hurricane (26th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 53th 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 Washington County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Washington County's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Washington County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Washington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Washington County's tornado risk is at the 53th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Washington County is at the 28th 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 Washington County a safe place to live?
Washington County's composite risk score of 17th 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 tornado at the 53th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Grant County

Kentucky

-0.4

Very Low

16th percentile

Gallatin County

Kentucky

+0.5

Very Low

17th percentile

Henry County

Kentucky

-1.0

Very Low

16th 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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