On FEMA’s figures, Buckner faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buckner gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #9 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (25%). 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 Buckner 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
Strong wind
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 Buckner’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buckner, and Buckner’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #9 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buckner’s residents live in 3 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, Buckner has less expected damage per building than 94% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Buckner: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buckner flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Buckner. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Buckner isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oldham County.The storms Buckner remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Oldham County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Buckner itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Oldham County has had 13 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.
Get ready for what Buckner 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Buckner
Is Buckner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buckner has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #9 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Buckner 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 Oldham County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buckner?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buckner’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Buckner at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Buckner’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buckner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buckner’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.