Jefferson County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 98th
Jefferson County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 98.3, 98th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $342M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | Very High | 0.28 / yr | $80M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.89 / yr | $213M |
| Heat Wave | High | 5.63 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $25M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.26 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | High | 9.58 / yr | $438K |
| Lightning | High | 52.19 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.20 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.35 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.90 / yr | $569K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $61K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $422 |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.26 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 98.3 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 98th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jefferson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (Very High, $80M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $213M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jefferson County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Jefferson County ranks #1 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Jefferson County's $342M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.