27,838 flood insurance claims·$521.3M paid·16,986 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Kentucky. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Kentucky experiences a mixed flood risk dominated by frequent flash flooding, with 4,497 flash flood events and 110 deaths recorded over the last 30 years alongside 3,703 general flood events and 55 deaths.
Recent federal disaster declarations highlight ongoing vulnerability in the state, marked by multiple severe storm events involving straight-line winds and tornadoes on May 16, 2025.
National Flood Insurance Program records indicate that Zone A carries the heaviest burden, accounting for 19,289 claims and $405 million paid out, with an average claim of $24,516. This demonstrates that residents in Zone A face the highest risk and need insurance most. Meanwhile, surprise claims occur outside primary high-risk areas, as evidenced by 3,011 claims in unknown zones totaling $21 million, 2,833 claims in Zone X totaling $58 million, 1,515 claims in unshaded Zone X areas totaling $25 million, and 1,287 claims in shaded Zone X areas totaling $16 million. Minor claim activity is also recorded in Zone D with 9 claims and Zone V with 3 claims, though both categories show $0 million paid total due to rounding or low payout volumes.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Kentucky has received 3,355 federal disaster declarations, including 494 flood and coastal storm declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in Kentucky FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Kentucky had 16,986 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $1,515 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Kentucky residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in Kentucky →
Select a county to view local flood zone data and disaster history:
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