Madison County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Madison County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.8, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 51.78 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.41 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 10.89 / yr | $318K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.33 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.93 / yr | $18M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.78 / yr | $277K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $658K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $83K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $69 |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.77 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $318K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Madison County ranks #15 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. Madison County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.