riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Whitley County Disaster Risk

Whitley County, Kentucky

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 120 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Whitley County

Risk Verdict

Whitley County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 62th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Whitley County, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 71th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (70th), tornado (64th), hurricane (45th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Whitley County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Whitley County is significantly riskier than the average county in Kentucky. Its composite risk score is 18 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Whitley County, KY?
Whitley County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Whitley County?
Whitley County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile), tornado (64th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Whitley County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Whitley County's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Whitley County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Kentucky.
Is Whitley County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Whitley County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Whitley County is at the 71th 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 Whitley County higher risk than average?
Whitley County's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the Kentucky state average of 44th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (85th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and tornado 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

Marshall County

Kentucky

-0.3

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Shelby County

Kentucky

-0.3

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Franklin County

Kentucky

+2.3

Relatively Low

64th 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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