Nicholas County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Nicholas County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.0, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.55 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.63 / yr | $340K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $89K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.09 / yr | $445K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.32 / yr | $81K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.58 / yr | $20K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $10K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.60 / yr | $17K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.18 / yr | $63K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.77 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $54K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $134K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $542 |
| 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 Nicholas County?
Nicholas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nicholas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $340K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nicholas County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Nicholas County ranks #100 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. Nicholas County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.