Natural Disaster Risk in McCreary County

Natural Hazard Profile: McCreary County, Kentucky

McCreary County, in the United States in Kentucky, is characterized by its humid subtropical climate — hot, humid summers and cold winters with ice storm risk. The county faces recurring winter ice storm events, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

McCreary County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.2/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include avalanche and winter.

Within Kentucky, McCreary County'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 McCreary County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by avalanche and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, McCreary County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide 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.