Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Cadiz’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cadiz gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #95 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (27%). 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 Cadiz 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Cadiz’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cadiz, and Cadiz’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #95 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cadiz’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, Cadiz has more expected damage per building than 67% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Cadiz: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cadiz flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cadiz. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cadiz isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Trigg County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cadiz
Disasters that paid out in Cadiz itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cadiz), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes46 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides90 households applied for aid$236K aid approved$169K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$34K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$69K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
- 2016Severe Storm, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$32K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$17K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
Show all 10
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$73K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$95K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$28K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow$7K to the City of Cadiz for repairs
Trigg County has had 20 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 Cadiz after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cadiz archive →Get ready for what Cadiz 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.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Cadiz
Is Cadiz at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cadiz has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #95 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cadiz 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 Trigg County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cadiz?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cadiz’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 Cadiz?
By FEMA money that reached Cadiz, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 90 households applied for aid, $236K approved, and $169K to the City of Cadiz for repairs.
Is Cadiz at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Cadiz’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cadiz.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cadiz’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.