Bourbon Residential Historic District · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Bourbon than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bourbon gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (24%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Bourbon faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Bourbon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bourbon, and Bourbon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 24% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bourbon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $528K a year in losses across Bourbon: $285K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bourbon flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bourbon. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bourbon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bourbon
Disasters that paid out in Bourbon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bourbon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$49K to the Town of Bourbon for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$5K to the Town of Bourbon for repairs
Marshall County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bourbon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bourbon archive →Get ready for what Bourbon faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bourbon
Is Bourbon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bourbon has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (24%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bourbon in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Marshall County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bourbon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bourbon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bourbon?
By FEMA money that reached Bourbon, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): $49K to the Town of Bourbon for repairs.
Is Bourbon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Bourbon’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bourbon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bourbon’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.