Photo: Dwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Berea than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berea gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #49 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 2010.
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 stands out about Berea’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Berea 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
Earthquakes
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 Berea’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berea, and Berea’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B #49 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berea’s residents live in 10 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, Berea has less expected damage per building than 66% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Berea: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berea flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berea, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $9K
- The February Kentucky Flooding1 claim · $37K
- The Late July Flooding1 claim · $14K
Berea is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Madison County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berea
Disasters that paid out in Berea itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Berea), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$58K to the City of Berea for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides48 households applied for aid$129K aid approved$16K to the City of Berea for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes131 households applied for aid$405K aid approved$23K to the City of Berea for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$229K to the City of Berea for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes13 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
Madison County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Berea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berea archive →Get ready for what Berea 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Berea residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Berea
Is Berea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berea has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #49 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berea flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Berea since 2010, $362K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (2).
Is Berea 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 Madison County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Berea?
Berea is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Berea?
By FEMA money that reached Berea, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 131 households applied for aid, $405K approved, and $23K to the City of Berea for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 2 paid, $9K.
Is Berea at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Berea’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berea’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.