Bardstown, KY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Bardstown is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Nelson County, KY. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, lightning, and winter weather.
Storm events near Bardstown
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Bardstown's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Bardstown itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Nelson County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Bardstown along with the rest of the county, not a Bardstown-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 24.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 62.7 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 70.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 44.9 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 69.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 63.1 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 32 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 40.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 25.4 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 61.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 38.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 85.5 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 88.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 74.7 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Nelson County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Nelson County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Bardstown, KY at risk of?
Bardstown is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Nelson County, where Bardstown is located, are strong wind, lightning, and winter weather.
What is Bardstown's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Nelson County, where Bardstown is located, scoring 88.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Bardstown a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Bardstown carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Nelson County.
Has Bardstown had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 19 tornado, 80 hail, 110 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Bardstown since 2016.