Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Cumberland than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cumberland 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 (95%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Cumberland 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 Cumberland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cumberland, and Cumberland’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).
All of Cumberland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Cumberland: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cumberland flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cumberland, from FEMA’s records: 27.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $549
Cumberland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harlan County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cumberland
Disasters that paid out in Cumberland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cumberland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides38 households applied for aid$127K aid approved$7K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$308K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$378K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$97K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$19K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.4M to the City of Cumberland for repairs
Show all 11
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$706K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$425K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$28K to the City of Cumberland for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$80K to the City of Cumberland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Harlan County has had 26 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Harlan County, 2000–2016.
Old photos of Cumberland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cumberland archive →Get ready for what Cumberland 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 Cumberland
Is Cumberland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cumberland 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 (95%). 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 Cumberland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Cumberland since 1978, $149K in all, or 27.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Cumberland 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 Harlan County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cumberland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cumberland’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 Cumberland?
By FEMA money that reached Cumberland, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2020): $1.4M to the City of Cumberland for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $549.
Is Cumberland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Cumberland’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cumberland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cumberland’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.