More hazard damage per building is expected in Farley than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farley gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1996.
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 Farley 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
Earthquakes
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 Farley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farley, and Farley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 25%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #141 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farley’s residents live in 2 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, Farley has more expected damage per building than 99% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Farley: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farley flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farley, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $104K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $43K
Farley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McCracken County.The storms Farley remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for McCracken County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Farley itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20113 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for McCracken County
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Blizzard of 96, declared for McCracken County
- 19971 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storm, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for McCracken County
McCracken County has had 18 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 Farley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farley archive →Farley and its neighbors
Farley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paducah | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 67 |
| Farley | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Farley 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Farley
Is Farley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farley has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Farley since 1996, $159K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Farley 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 McCracken County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Farley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farley’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 Farley?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $104K.
Is Farley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Farley’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farley’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.