Wolfe County Disaster Risk
Wolfe County, Kentucky
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
19th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#102
of 120 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
43th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Wolfe County, Kentucky
Wolfe County ranks among safest in nation
Wolfe County's composite risk score of 18.54 earns a Very Low rating and sits far below the national average for natural disasters. Low tornado and earthquake risk provide residents with uncommon protection from major hazards.
Third-safest county in Kentucky
Wolfe County's score of 18.54 ranks near the bottom of Kentucky's risk scale, well below the state average of 44.21. Only Washington County (16.73) and Webster County (29.23) show comparable safety.
Safest in east-central Kentucky
Wolfe County's score of 18.54 nearly matches Washington County (16.73) as the region's safest area. By contrast, nearby Whitley County (62.21) and Wayne County (54.68) carry substantially higher risk profiles.
Wildfires and floods pose modest exposure
Wildfire risk of 63.80 is Wolfe County's notable hazard, reflecting its Appalachian forest landscape and seasonal dry periods. Flood risk of 42.62 remains manageable, while tornado risk of 21.41 is among the state's lowest.
Wildfire awareness key for Wolfe County
Maintain clearance around your property to reduce wildfire risk, and consider fire-resistant landscaping in the dry season. Standard homeowners insurance covers most exposures in Wolfe County's favorable risk environment.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Wolfe County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Wolfe County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Wolfe County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 19th percentile. At the 19th percentile, Wolfe 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
Wildfire risk is Wolfe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (31th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile), tornado (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 64th percentile nationally for wildfire, Wolfe County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 43th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Wolfe County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
Wolfe County is 25.7 composite risk points below the Kentucky state mean, meaning most other Kentucky counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Wolfe County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Wolfe County, KY?
What types of natural hazards affect Wolfe County?
How does Wolfe County risk compare to the Kentucky average?
Is Wolfe County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Wolfe 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.