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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Whitley County, Kentucky

Whitley County faces above-average disaster risks

Whitley County's composite risk score of 62.21 ranks as Relatively Low but exceeds the national average for natural disasters. Wildfire risk of 85.11 is notably elevated, making the county an exception among Kentucky counties.

Upper-tier risk among Kentucky counties

Whitley County's score of 62.21 significantly exceeds Kentucky's average of 44.21, placing it among the state's riskier counties. This positions Whitley well above most peers but below the highest-risk Warren County (88.49).

Distinctly riskier than surrounding counties

Whitley County's score of 62.21 far exceeds safer neighbors like Wayne County (54.68), Washington County (16.73), and Laurel County. However, it remains somewhat safer than the state's most hazardous areas in western Kentucky.

Wildfires and floods threaten Whitley residents

Wildfire risk of 85.11 is exceptionally high for Kentucky, reflecting the county's forested terrain and dry-season exposure. Flood risk of 71.09 and tornado risk of 63.99 round out a multi-hazard profile requiring active preparation.

Wildfire defense is essential in Whitley County

Create a defensible space around your home by clearing dead vegetation and overhanging branches at least 30 feet out. Obtain flood insurance if near streams, and install a metal roof or fire-resistant shingles to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Whitley County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    70th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Whitley County

Risk Verdict

Whitley County's FEMA risk score places it at the 62th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Whitley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (70th percentile), tornado (64th percentile), hurricane (45th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Whitley County sits at the 85th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Whitley County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's flood exposure at the 71th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Whitley County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

The Kentucky county average is 18.0 composite points below Whitley County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Whitley 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 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 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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