Photo: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Danville than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #43 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Danville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Danville 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 Danville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Danville, and Danville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #43 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Danville’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, Danville has less expected damage per building than 70% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Danville: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Danville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Danville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Danville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Boyle County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Danville
Disasters that paid out in Danville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Danville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes103 households applied for aid$288K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Boyle County has had 17 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 Danville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Danville archive →Danville and its neighbors
Danville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Junction City | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Danville 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 Danville
Is Danville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danville has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #43 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Danville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Danville since 1984, $5K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Danville 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 Boyle County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Danville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Danville’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 Danville?
By FEMA money that reached Danville, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 103 households applied for aid, $288K approved.
Is Danville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Danville’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Danville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Danville’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.