Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Glasgow faces more hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glasgow gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #81 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
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 Glasgow 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
Hail
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 Glasgow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glasgow, and Glasgow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #81 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glasgow’s residents live in 7 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, Glasgow has more expected damage per building than 57% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Glasgow: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glasgow flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glasgow, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Glasgow isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Barren County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glasgow
Disasters that paid out in Glasgow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glasgow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes61 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes91 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$33K to the City of Glasgow for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the City of Glasgow for repairs
Barren County has had 15 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 Glasgow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glasgow archive →Get ready for what Glasgow 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Glasgow
Is Glasgow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glasgow has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #81 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glasgow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Glasgow since 1979, $143K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Glasgow 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 Barren County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Glasgow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glasgow’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 Glasgow?
By FEMA money that reached Glasgow, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 91 households applied for aid, $117K approved, and $33K to the City of Glasgow for repairs.
Is Glasgow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Glasgow’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glasgow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glasgow’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.