Natural Disaster Risk in Whitley City
Kentucky
Risk Summary for Whitley City
Whitley City scores 6.2/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Landslide.
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: Whitley City, Kentucky
Located in the interior eastern United States in McCreary County, Whitley City is a town of roughly 4,300 residents. The humid subtropical climate that characterizes this part of Kentucky — marked by hot, humid summers and cold winters with ice storm risk — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Whitley City a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.
Whitley City's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.2/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include avalanche and winter.
Relative to other U.S. communities, Whitley City's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.5/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and avalanche, as measured by FEMA across McCreary County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
Whitley City'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 Whitley City: Landslide preparedness
- Standard insurance generally excludes landslide and earth-movement damage — ask about specialized coverage.
- Have an evacuation plan ready during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
Local Factors for Whitley City
These city-level factors differentiate Whitley City from other communities in McCreary County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
4,300
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 36.8°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 7.7/10
Coordinates
36.7812° N, 84.4618° W
McCreary 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 Whitley City
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Whitley City
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.