Natural Disasters in Columbia, KY
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
39.4
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
31.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
78.4
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
41.4
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hail | 70.5 |
| Winter Weather | 69.4 |
| Tornado | 65.7 |
| Earthquake | 65.3 |
| Cold Wave | 64.8 |
| Strong Wind | 63.9 |
| Ice Storm | 58.1 |
| Landslide | 48.8 |
| Hurricane | 48.3 |
| Lightning | 47.0 |
| Drought | 38.1 |
| Heat Wave | 34.6 |
| Wildfire | 15.9 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
25
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
15 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| May 23, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Feb 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Feb 16, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES |
| Apr 10, 2023 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Mar 28, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Apr 17, 2019 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Aug 26, 2016 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORM, TORNADOES, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Apr 30, 2015 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, SNOWSTORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Mar 6, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS AND FLOODING |
| May 11, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, MUDSLIDES, AND TORNADOES |
| Feb 21, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA |
| Aug 6, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Apr 29, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES,AND FLOODING |
| Mar 3, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 4, 1997 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORM, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 |
Showing 20 of 25 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
1
Total Claims Paid
$37,186
Avg Claim Payout
$37,186
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$956,507
Disasters with PA
8
Total Projects
125
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1912 | Severe Storm(s) | 67 | $488,708 |
| DR-1746 | Severe Storm(s) | 42 | $171,363 |
| DR-4860 | Other | 6 | $131,600 |
| DR-4497 | Biological | 2 | $84,021 |
| DR-4875 | Severe Storm(s) | 1 | $39,043 |
| DR-1537 | Severe Storm(s) | 5 | $23,821 |
| DR-4216 | Snow | 1 | $17,576 |
| DR-4057 | Severe Storm(s) | 1 | $375 |
Columbia has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hail, winter weather, tornado. The area has had 25 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (15 declarations). 1 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $956,507 in public assistance recovery funding.