St. Matthews, KY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
St. Matthews is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Jefferson County, KY. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, inland flooding, and heat wave.
Storm events near St. Matthews
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of St. Matthews's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to St. Matthews 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 Jefferson County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering St. Matthews along with the rest of the county, not a St. Matthews-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 56.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 99.1 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 96.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 99.7 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 94.8 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 21.2 | Very Low |
| Hail | 89.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 35.8 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 85.7 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 35.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 91.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 90.8 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 92.3 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Jefferson County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Jefferson County:
More on Jefferson County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is St. Matthews, KY at risk of?
St. Matthews is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Jefferson County, where St. Matthews is located, are tornado, inland flooding, and heat wave.
What is St. Matthews's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for Jefferson County, where St. Matthews is located, scoring 99.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is St. Matthews a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — St. Matthews carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Jefferson County.
Has St. Matthews had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 37 tornado, 169 hail, 202 inland flooding events within 25 miles of St. Matthews since 2016.