Is Hazard Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Hazard, Kentucky, is Ground Zero for the catastrophic flooding in the summer of 2022.

Our thoughts go out to all of the people who lost people and precious memories in this massive onslaught of water.

While our goal on this website is to provide evergreen content for tourists for years to come, as of this publication, the future of Hazard and its adventures are unknown.

Some roads are wiped out.

Many bridges are too unstable to use.

Homes are still sitting downstream of the foundations.

Top tourist attractions are filled with mud from receding floodwaters.

It’s going to be a while before Hazard is a city that isn’t in recovery mode.

Should you visit during this unprecedented time, please offer help, support local businesses, and avoid areas closed off to tourists.

Tucked into the heart of eastern Kentucky Appalachia sits the town of Hazard.

Noted for its outdoor adventures and Mother Goose House, which has watched over the city for nearly a century, this is a place to go if you want to get away from it all.

The small town of 5,300 people has a spirit of its own.

It’s surrounded by rugged terrain and nearly endless miles of trails and scenic drives.

It’s also on the eastern edge of Daniel Boone National Forest’s Redbird Wildlife Management Area.

In 1940, the Mother Goose house was completed by a man who was inspired to build a goose house after a Thanksgiving meal.

In 2021, the weathered goose head collapsed, prompting an immediate call to action for repairs.

The house re-opened later that summer.

It’s one of the most photographed places in all of Kentucky and has appeared on Oprah and HGTV.

Hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking are a way of life here.

If you don’t like the outdoors, you aren’t going to like Hazard very much.

The North Fork of the Kentucky River weaves through town, making for some serene moments but also poising the city for incredible flood risks, as they’ve seen over the years.

The “Queen City of the Mountains” is a royal place to kick back, relax, and enjoy nature with some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

Warnings & Dangers in Hazard

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Hazard is a city that will be defined for centuries to come as "before" and "after" this recent flooding event. Until further notice, there's a medium risk here just because of all the damage that has been done, the repairs needed, and the water quality concerns. This is no fault of the people in Hazard. In fact, the stories of heroism and help are what really make this tragedy have a silver lining.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

There aren't any public buses available here. Taxis and rideshares will be hard to come by for some time. You'll need a car to get around here. Driving in this region is dangerous until the roads and bridges get repaired. Dozens of bridges, especially smaller ones, have been washed away or damaged beyond repair.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The latest crime data available for Hazard is from 2020, with a low risk of being pickpocketed. In fact, 54% of the thefts were shoplifting.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk throughout the year, but - wow - 2020 through 2022 has been really rough in this region with ice storms, flooding, and severe storms that produced tornadoes. You really have to watch the weather closely here. One flood victim said she thought to herself, "That flooding is never going to make it to my house," and six minutes later, her home was washed away. She barely escaped.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here, with just three robberies reported. One of those was in public, and the robber got $1500. That's a good reminder to never carry a lot of valuables or cash with you when in public.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The only terror here comes from the weather. There's a low risk of this area being a target of a terror group. It's also far enough away from major population centers that there isn't even a risk of a residual effect.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The biggest scam to worry about going forward from 2022 is fundraising for flood victims. Sadly, scammers love to prey on people's kindness during tragedies. The state of Kentucky has set up a legitimate fundraising account, and the Red Cross is also accepting donations.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk for women by the crime data, as men are more commonly victims of crime. However, you do need to be an "outdoor girl" to enjoy your time here. There are a lot of natural risks that can raise safety concerns if you aren't skilled at outdoor survival.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

It will be a while before the low water quality risk is restored here. On top of that, even before the floods, the city hadn't published a Water Quality Report in two years. Unless you are 100% sure the water here is safe to drink, bring bottled water.

Safest Places to Visit in Hazard

The Mother Goose House is a great place to take a gander.

(GET IT? Take a GANDER?)

Paradise Pizza recently opened next door, so you can get a great meal while enjoying the view.

Be sure to take pictures and post them on social media because the Mother Goose House is very popular and will get a lot of interaction.

The Bobby Davis House Museum and Park is probably the second most popular stop in Hazard.

The museum is dedicated to the heroes of World War II.

You can get a glimpse of Perry County’s history and attend one of many events throughout the year, whether it’s playing games inside or enjoying a party in the garden.

Check the website for events happening around your trip.

The River Arts Greenway Project runs along the banks of the Kentucky River.

There are murals and sculptures to see and a peace garden calling for “Peace on Earth” throughout the years to come.

The Redbird Wildlife Management Area is one of the big draws for people in Hazard.

This is just one section of the 708,000 acres of Daniel Boone National Forest.

For example, you can be in the Redbird Ranger District in 30 minutes, but you’ll have to drive more than two hours to get to the Natural Arches area of the park.

Hunting and fishing are popular in Redbird, and there are more trails than you could arguably do in a week’s vacation.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is a great place for outdoor lovers who want to have more amenities.

There’s a museum on site, a dedicated beach for swimmers, and a restaurant with sweeping views of the mountains.

Don’t miss the Church Log Cathedral while you’re here.

As of August 2022, the entire resort is housing flood victims, so call ahead to see if rooms are available closer to your visit.

Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park and Campground prides itself on being a family-friendly camping location.

There are ATVs and horse trails throughout the park.

Hikers might come across elk antlers that were shed by the animals, with the most likely time to find them between January and April.

Places to Avoid in Hazard

In a normal year, there isn’t a part of Hazard that is too dangerous to visit or a “bad neighborhood.”

Unfortunately, it will be a while before Hazard sees anything close to normal.

If you are reviewing this article as a potential volunteer to help with the flood recovery, be sure to get a tetanus shot before you go, as floodwaters can be contaminated.

Contact Perry County or the state of Kentucky for where you can best help at any given time.

You want to ensure your assistance is used in the best way possible.

There is a volunteer form you can fill out on the Hazard Facebook page, @cityofhazard.

If you are visiting here for fun, avoid doing anything that looks like you are making a disaster area your own tourist attraction.

Yes, it’s natural to WANT to see places that have been devastated because of our morbid human curiosity, but this is a town where everyone knows everyone.

Losing a family member to flooding impacts the whole community.

People lost everything they had in a few minutes of terror, and some were stranded in their homes or neighborhoods for days without a way to get out.

Even the mud was too thick to walk across.

For those stopping by on a road trip, shop locally wherever possible.

The city was already hit hard by the pandemic.

On top of that, it’s a region known for being poorer than much of the country.

Any little bit helps.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Hazard

So... How Safe Is Hazard Really?

The crime data from 2020 shows there’s an average or above average risk when it comes to violent and property crimes.

The only point of consideration in that statement is that the FBI provides data “per 100,000.”

That means in very small towns, like Hazard, the numbers can appear skewed.

For example, there were three robberies in 2020, but when you figure that out “per 100,000,” the number is 56.

While that’s still below the national average, it sounds much higher than it really is.

It would just take two more robberies in that year to push the risk over the national average.

Car break-ins account for 10% of the thefts here.

Shoplifting is the largest category at 54% of all thefts.

You should also keep track of items at your campsite or outdoor stopping point because thieves can grab backpacks, fishing poles, or anything else that isn’t nailed down.

It’s a good idea to study the Emergency Management website page for Perry County.

Every weather risk is addressed there with ideas for “safety kits” and preparedness information.

You don’t want to be caught outside in a severe thunderstorm, so adjust your plans if there is storm potential on any given day.

How Does Hazard Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need a U.S. Travel or Work visa to get into the United States, and that's quite a process, so start planning several months ahead of time. Once you are in the country, you can travel freely without having to show your visa, so pack it somewhere safe and secure.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here, and it's wise to bring some cash with you. Just be sure to exchange currency at the airport or in a much bigger city. Don't carry all your money in one spot. I always liked to use the spare tire well to store extra cash when traveling by car. You can also bring a fire-safe box with a lock.

Weather

You should always have a waterproof outer layer when visiting here and boots that are broken in before you go. Bring a mix of tank tops, t-shirts, and hoodies for fluctuating temperatures. Bug spray is very much needed here and should be used often.

Airports

Since Hazard is such a remote town, you'll be on the road for 2-3 hours to get to a commercial airport. You have choices in Lexington, Kentucky, and Knoxville, Tennessee. A smaller airport in the tri-cities area is available, and the airport's location is Blountville, Tennessee.

Travel Insurance

You definitely want travel insurance that covers your flights, your health, and your rental vehicle. There is just too much risk here to travel without it.

Hazard Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Kentucky - Safety by City