James Caldwell House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainCampbellsville’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Campbellsville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #45 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1984.
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 Campbellsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Campbellsville 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
Strong wind
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 Campbellsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Campbellsville, and Campbellsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #45 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Campbellsville’s residents live in 5 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, Campbellsville has less expected damage per building than 69% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Campbellsville: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Campbellsville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Campbellsville, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Campbellsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Taylor County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Campbellsville
Disasters that paid out in Campbellsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Campbellsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes397 households applied for aid$201K aid approved$158K to the City of Campbellsville for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Campbellsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes138 households applied for aid$175K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$17K to the City of Campbellsville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to the City of Campbellsville for repairs
Taylor County has had 18 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 Campbellsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Campbellsville archive →Get ready for what Campbellsville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Campbellsville
Is Campbellsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Campbellsville has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #45 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Campbellsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Campbellsville since 1984, $89K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Campbellsville 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 Taylor 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 Campbellsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Campbellsville’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 Campbellsville?
By FEMA money that reached Campbellsville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2021): 397 households applied for aid, $201K approved, and $158K to the City of Campbellsville for repairs.
Is Campbellsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Campbellsville’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Campbellsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Campbellsville’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.