Photo: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Harrodsburg’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrodsburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #104 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 stands out about Harrodsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Harrodsburg 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
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 Harrodsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrodsburg, and Harrodsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #104 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harrodsburg’s residents live in 3 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, Harrodsburg has more expected damage per building than 73% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Harrodsburg: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrodsburg flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrodsburg, from FEMA’s records: 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $9K
Harrodsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harrodsburg
Disasters that paid out in Harrodsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harrodsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides98 households applied for aid$596K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes90 households applied for aid$271K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$145K to the City of Harrodsburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and85 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$18K to the City of Harrodsburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes28 households applied for aid$114K aid approved$5K to the City of Harrodsburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and$4K to the City of Harrodsburg for repairs
Mercer County has had 21 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 Harrodsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrodsburg archive →Get ready for what Harrodsburg 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.
- 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 Harrodsburg
Is Harrodsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrodsburg has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #104 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harrodsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Harrodsburg since 1978, $556K in all, or 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Harrodsburg 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 Mercer County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harrodsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrodsburg’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 Harrodsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Harrodsburg, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 98 households applied for aid, $596K approved. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Harrodsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Harrodsburg’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrodsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrodsburg’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.