Wayne County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Wayne County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.7, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.68 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.06 / yr | $12K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.58 / yr | $142K |
| Hail | Low | 3.04 / yr | $328K |
| Lightning | Medium | 55.34 / yr | $218K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $264K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.50 / yr | $389K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $59K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $638K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.95 / yr | $159K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $26K |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.59 / yr | $18K |
| 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $142K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Wayne County ranks #38 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. Wayne County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.