Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clay City than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clay City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 74 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 Clay City 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
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 Clay City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clay City, and Clay City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clay City’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $740K a year in losses across Clay City: $574K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clay City flood? Sometimes: 74 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clay City, from FEMA’s records: 121.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains19 claims · $231K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding4 claims · $77K
Clay City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Powell County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clay City
Disasters that paid out in Clay City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clay City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$77K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides78 households applied for aid$195K aid approved$45K to the City of Clay City for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes45 households applied for aid$215K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$1K to the City of Clay City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides98 households applied for aid$200K aid approved$13K to the City of Clay City for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and31 households applied for aid$91K aid approved$10K to the City of Clay City for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Powell County has had 29 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 Clay City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clay City archive →Get ready for what Clay City 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.
- 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 Clay City
Is Clay City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clay City has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clay City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 74 claims in Clay City since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 121.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (19).
Is Clay City 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 Powell County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clay City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clay City’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 Clay City?
By FEMA money that reached Clay City, Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2021): 78 households applied for aid, $195K approved, and $45K to the City of Clay City for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 19 paid, $231K.
Is Clay City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Clay City’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clay City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clay City’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.