Natural Disaster Risk in Holmes Mill
Kentucky
Risk Summary for Holmes Mill
Holmes Mill scores 5.9/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Avalanche.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Holmes Mill, Kentucky
Holmes Mill, in Harlan County, is a small unincorporated community situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings hot, humid summers and cold winters with ice storm risk, and in particular recurring winter ice storm events. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Holmes Mill residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Holmes Mill carries an overall risk score of 5.9/10, placing it in the moderate category. Avalanche risk is the dominant natural hazard, with steep mountain terrain and heavy seasonal snowpack creating conditions for dangerous snow slides in and around the area. The area also faces notable exposure to landslide and wind.
Within Kentucky, Holmes Mill's risk is, slightly above the 5.5/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Harlan County identifies avalanche as the foremost hazard, followed by landslide and wind. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Holmes Mill's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that avalanche exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for Holmes Mill: Avalanche preparedness
- Properties in runout zones may require specialized hazard assessment and insurance.
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry travel and carry a beacon, probe, and shovel.
- Be aware of slope angles and recent snow loading, which drive avalanche risk.
Local Factors for Holmes Mill
These city-level factors differentiate Holmes Mill from other communities in Harlan County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
48
RuralGeographic 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: 7.4/10
Coordinates
36.8883° N, 82.9367° W
Harlan 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 Holmes Mill
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Holmes Mill
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.