First Presbyterian Church · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA puts Scott Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1985.
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 Scott Township 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Scott Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scott Township, and Scott Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scott Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Scott Township: $899K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scott Township flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scott Township, from FEMA’s records: 18.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $86K
Scott Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bourbon County.The storms Scott Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Bourbon County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Scott Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19986 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes, declared for Bourbon County
- 19863 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Bourbon County
- 19942 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Bourbon County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Scott Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scott Township archive →Scott Township and its neighbors
Scott Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Marmaton Township | — | 470 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Coal Township | — | 275 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Drywood Township | — | 289 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Richland Township | — | 124 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mill Creek Township | — | 279 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Freedom Township | — | 476 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Osage Township | — | 128 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Scott Township 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Scott Township
Is Scott Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott Township has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scott Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Scott Township since 1985, $840K in all, or 18.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (2).
Is Scott Township 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 Bourbon County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Scott Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scott Township’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 Scott Township?
By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 2 paid, $86K.
Is Scott Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Scott Township’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scott Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scott Township’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.