Letcher County KY Emergency Preparedness & Flash Flooding / Landslide Risk Profile

Letcher County was one of the hardest-hit counties in the catastrophic 2022 eastern Kentucky floods. Whitesburg and surrounding communities were devastated as the North Fork of the Kentucky River crested at record levels. The county's steep terrain, narrow valleys, and legacy coal mining infrastructure make it one of the most flood-vulnerable counties in the Appalachian region.

// Preparedness Recommendations

Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.

// Recommended Supplies

Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.

Emergency Food Supplies
Water Filtration & Storage
Backup Generator
Solar Backup Power

* We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

// Risk Intelligence

Threat Score	8 / 10 High Risk
Primary Hazard	Flash Flooding / Landslide
Secondary Hazard	Coal Mining Subsidence
FEMA Flood Zone	Zone AE (High Risk)
Federally Declared Disasters	42
Last Major Event	Eastern Kentucky Floods (2022)
Event Frequency	Major event every 3–5 years