Wolfe County

Kentucky — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

18.5

National percentile: 19th

Wolfe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.5, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $4M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 7K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Landslide
Medium $29K/yr
Wildfire
Low $62K/yr
Riverine Flood
Low $3M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Landslide Medium 0.69 / yr $29K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $62K
Riverine Flood Low 1.18 / yr $3M
Hail Low 3.30 / yr $106K
Winter Weather Low 15.42 / yr $25K
Strong Wind Low 4.96 / yr $179K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $9K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $41K
Lightning Low 50.89 / yr $52K
Cold Wave Low 1.05 / yr $193K
Heat Wave Very Low 2.53 / yr $52K
Tornado Very Low 0.05 / yr $147K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.36 / yr $7K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $11
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Drought Very Low 4.32 / 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 Wolfe County?

Wolfe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.5 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 Wolfe County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $29K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $62K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Wolfe County compare to other Kentucky counties?

Wolfe County ranks #102 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. Wolfe County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.