Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Carrollton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrollton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #94 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1978.
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 Carrollton 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 Carrollton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carrollton, and Carrollton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #94 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Carrollton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Kentucky town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Carrollton has more expected damage per building than 66% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Carrollton: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carrollton flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carrollton, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $237K
Carrollton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carrollton
Disasters that paid out in Carrollton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carrollton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides87 households applied for aid$669K aid approved$41K to the City of Carrollton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$40K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding10 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$25K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes$39K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$35K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$59K to the City of Carrollton for repairs
Carroll County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Carrollton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carrollton archive →Get ready for what Carrollton 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 Carrollton
Is Carrollton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrollton has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #94 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (13%). 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 Carrollton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Carrollton since 1978, $493K in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (2).
Is Carrollton 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 Carroll County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carrollton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carrollton’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 Carrollton?
By FEMA money that reached Carrollton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 87 households applied for aid, $669K approved, and $41K to the City of Carrollton for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 2 paid, $237K.
Is Carrollton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Carrollton’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carrollton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carrollton’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.