Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Beaver Dam faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver Dam gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #87 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1983.
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 Beaver Dam 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
Earthquakes
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Beaver Dam’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beaver Dam, and Beaver Dam’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #87 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beaver Dam’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kentucky town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Beaver Dam has more expected damage per building than 61% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Beaver Dam: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beaver Dam flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beaver Dam, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Beaver Dam isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ohio County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beaver Dam
Disasters that paid out in Beaver Dam itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beaver Dam), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides34 households applied for aid$209K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes54 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding27 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$100K to the City of Beaver Dam for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$13K to the City of Beaver Dam for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$310 aid approved
Ohio County has had 23 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 Beaver Dam after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beaver Dam archive →Get ready for what Beaver Dam 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Beaver Dam
Is Beaver Dam at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver Dam has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #87 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beaver Dam flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Beaver Dam since 1983, $41K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Beaver Dam 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 Ohio 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 Beaver Dam?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beaver Dam’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 Beaver Dam?
By FEMA money that reached Beaver Dam, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 34 households applied for aid, $209K approved.
Is Beaver Dam at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Beaver Dam’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beaver Dam.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beaver Dam’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.