Tennessee on list of disasters

An atlas compiled by New York University's Institute for Public Knowledge reveals that inland counties, particularly in Kentucky, experience a higher concentration of federally declared disasters than coastal areas known for hurricanes and earthquakes. From 2011 to 2023, counties like Floyd and Johnson in Kentucky have faced multiple disasters, with Floyd County declared a federal disaster 14 times since 2011, most recently in 2023. The atlas indicates that eight of the nine counties with the most disasters are in Kentucky, which receive significant federal aid, totaling $60 billion for government assistance. This contrasts with the common perception that disaster-prone areas are primarily along the coasts. The data shows that many inland regions are severely affected by disasters, as highlighted by the devastating flooding in Floyd County that killed 40 people in July 2022. Local officials express concern over the overwhelming nature of these repeated disasters and the ongoing need for federal support.