Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Henderson faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #128 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 176 claims here since 1981.
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 Henderson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Henderson 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 Henderson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Henderson, and Henderson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #128 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Henderson’s residents live in 14 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, Henderson has more expected damage per building than 90% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.3M a year in losses across Henderson: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Henderson flood? Yes: 176 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Henderson, from FEMA’s records: 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm24 claims · $303K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $67K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $15K
Henderson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Henderson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Henderson
Disasters that paid out in Henderson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Henderson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides71 households applied for aid$538K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding75 households applied for aid$616K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Henderson County has had 18 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 Henderson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Henderson archive →Henderson and its neighbors
Henderson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 176 |
| Union Township | — | 206 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Henderson 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.
- Henderson residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Henderson
Is Henderson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #128 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Henderson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 176 claims in Henderson since 1981, $3.1M in all, or 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 38 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (24).
Is Henderson 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 Henderson County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Henderson?
Henderson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Henderson?
By FEMA money that reached Henderson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 75 households applied for aid, $616K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 24 paid, $303K.
Is Henderson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Henderson’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Henderson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Henderson’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.