Whitley County
Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Whitley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.2, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.29 / yr | $26K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $555K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.53 / yr | $219K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.00 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Low | 3.21 / yr | $441K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $620K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.58 / yr | $587K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.64 / yr | $556K |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.17 / yr | $249K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $35K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $199 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.14 / yr | $22K |
| Drought | Very Low | 10.04 / yr | $7K |
| 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 Whitley County?
Whitley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Whitley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $26K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $555K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $219K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Whitley County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Whitley County ranks #31 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. Whitley County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.