Fayette County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Fayette County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.0, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $113M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.15 / yr | $24M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.32 / yr | $16M |
| Winter Weather | High | 11.84 / yr | $876K |
| Lightning | High | 51.71 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.73 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.12 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $9M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.57 / yr | $53M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.88 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.74 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $149K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.57 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $54 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fayette County?
Fayette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fayette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $24M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $16M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $876K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fayette County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Fayette County ranks #3 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Fayette County's $113M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.