Natural Disaster Risk in Paducah
Kentucky
Risk Summary for Paducah
Paducah scores 7.3/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
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: Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is a city of approximately 30,856 residents in McCracken 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 Paducah.
FEMA rates Paducah's composite natural disaster risk at 7.3 out of 10 — high risk. The area's position within a seismically active region makes earthquake preparedness a top priority for residents and property owners alike. Residents should also account for heat and ice storm risk in their preparedness planning.
Paducah's risk score, considerably 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 McCracken County, the highest-scoring are earthquake, heat, and ice storm. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
Paducah's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Paducah: Earthquake preparedness
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
Local Factors for Paducah
These city-level factors differentiate Paducah from other communities in McCracken County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
30,856
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 37.0°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 4.4/10
Coordinates
37.0332° N, 88.7135° W
McCracken 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 Paducah
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Paducah
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.