Lee County

Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

7.5

National percentile: 8th

Lee County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.5, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $3M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 7K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Landslide
Low $20K/yr
Wildfire
Very Low $58K/yr
Winter Weather
Low $28K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Landslide Low 0.66 / yr $20K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $58K
Winter Weather Low 14.95 / yr $28K
Strong Wind Low 5.68 / yr $226K
Cold Wave Low 1.00 / yr $292K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $69
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $8K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $36K
Tornado Very Low 0.07 / yr $247K
Lightning Very Low 51.82 / yr $60K
Heat Wave Very Low 2.58 / yr $55K
Riverine Flood Very Low 1.71 / yr $2M
Hail Very Low 3.33 / yr $59K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.43 / yr $9K
Drought Very Low 4.31 / yr $383
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 Lee County?

Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $20K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $58K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $28K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Lee County compare to other Kentucky counties?

Lee County ranks #117 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low 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. Lee County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.