Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Burgin than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burgin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1989.
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 Burgin 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
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 Burgin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burgin, and Burgin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burgin’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $567K a year in losses across Burgin: $416K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burgin flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burgin, from FEMA’s records: 55.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $180K
- The February Kentucky Flooding2 claims · $6K
Burgin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burgin
Disasters that paid out in Burgin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burgin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$195K aid approved$52K to the City of Burgin for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes19 households applied for aid$94K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$62K to the City of Burgin for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Mercer County has had 21 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 Burgin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burgin archive →Get ready for what Burgin 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.
- 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 Burgin
Is Burgin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burgin has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). 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.
Does Burgin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Burgin since 1989, $419K in all, or 55.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (2).
Is Burgin 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 Mercer County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burgin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burgin’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 Burgin?
By FEMA money that reached Burgin, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 22 households applied for aid, $195K approved, and $52K to the City of Burgin for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 2 paid, $180K.
Is Burgin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Burgin’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burgin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burgin’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.