Natural Disaster Risk in Barbourville
Kentucky
Risk Summary for Barbourville
Barbourville scores 6.6/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Barbourville, Kentucky
Barbourville is a city of approximately 10,813 residents in Knox County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters with ice storm risk, with recurring winter ice storm events shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Barbourville.
FEMA rates Barbourville's composite natural disaster risk at 6.6 out of 10 — high risk. Cold wave events are the primary hazard risk, driven by periodic invasions of Arctic air that drive wind chills to life-threatening levels and stress heating systems. Residents should also account for landslide and avalanche risk in their preparedness planning.
Barbourville's risk score, slightly above the 5.5/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Knox County, the highest-scoring are cold wave, landslide, and avalanche. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Barbourville residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for cold wave and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for Barbourville: Cold Wave preparedness
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
Local Factors for Barbourville
These city-level factors differentiate Barbourville from other communities in Knox County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
10,813
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 36.9°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 8.7/10
Coordinates
36.8883° N, 83.8755° W
Knox County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Barbourville
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Barbourville
Other cities in Kentucky
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.