Photo: EEJCC · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Covington than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #109 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 stands out about Covington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Covington 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 Covington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Covington, and Covington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #109 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Covington’s residents live in 21 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, Covington has more expected damage per building than 77% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.4M a year in losses across Covington: $10.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Covington flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Covington, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding5 claims · $315K
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $39K
Covington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kenton County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Covington
Disasters that paid out in Covington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Covington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
Kenton County has had 10 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 Covington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Covington archive →Covington and its neighbors
Covington is 9th of the 9 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Hills | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fort Wright | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Erlanger | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Independence | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wilder | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Taylor Mill | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Newport | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Ludlow | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Covington | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Ryland Heights | — | 789 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kenton Vale | — | 158 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Covington 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 Covington
Is Covington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #109 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Covington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in Covington since 1978, $915K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (5).
Is Covington 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 Kenton County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Covington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Covington’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 Covington?
By FEMA money that reached Covington, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 2 households applied for aid, $500 approved. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 5 paid, $315K.
Is Covington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Covington’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Covington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Covington’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.