Letcher County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Letcher County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.6, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.12 / yr | $43K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.04 / yr | $15M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $197K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.11 / yr | $68K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $204K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.95 / yr | $676K |
| Hail | Low | 3.14 / yr | $148K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $21K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $129K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.44 / yr | $235K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.06 / yr | $292K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.50 / yr | $28K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 8.56 / 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 Letcher County?
Letcher County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Letcher County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $43K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $15M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $197K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Letcher County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Letcher County ranks #27 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Letcher County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.