Pendleton County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Pendleton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.9, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 50.78 / yr | $491K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.44 / yr | $668K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.47 / yr | $170K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.68 / yr | $370K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.22 / yr | $2K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.68 / yr | $15K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.25 / yr | $23K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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 Pendleton County?
Pendleton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pendleton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $491K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $668K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pendleton County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Pendleton County ranks #85 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. Pendleton County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.