Sherman Tavern · Photo: MandyMarie · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Dry Ridge than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dry Ridge gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (19%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Dry Ridge 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
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 Dry Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dry Ridge, and Dry Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dry Ridge’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $575K a year in losses across Dry Ridge: $257K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dry Ridge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Dry Ridge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Dry Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dry Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Dry Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dry Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$4K to the City of Dry Ridge for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding13 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$11K to the City of Dry Ridge for repairs
Grant County has had 14 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 Dry Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dry Ridge archive →Dry Ridge and its neighbors
Dry Ridge is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamstown | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dry Ridge | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Dry Ridge 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.
- 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 Dry Ridge
Is Dry Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dry Ridge has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Dry Ridge 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 Grant County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dry Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dry Ridge’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 Dry Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Dry Ridge, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2012): 13 households applied for aid, $16K approved.
Is Dry Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Dry Ridge’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dry Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dry Ridge’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.