Irvington Historic District · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Irvington than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irvington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2002.
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 Irvington 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 Irvington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Irvington, and Irvington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Irvington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $594K a year in losses across Irvington: $418K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Irvington flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Irvington, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Irvington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Breckinridge County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Irvington
Disasters that paid out in Irvington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Irvington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$47K to the City of Irvington for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$6K to the City of Irvington for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow$1K to the City of Irvington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Irvington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$22K to the City of Irvington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Breckinridge 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 Irvington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Irvington archive →Get ready for what Irvington 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 Irvington
Is Irvington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irvington has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Irvington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Irvington since 2002, $27K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Irvington 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 Breckinridge County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Irvington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Irvington’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 Irvington?
By FEMA money that reached Irvington, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2009): $47K to the City of Irvington for repairs.
Is Irvington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Irvington’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Irvington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Irvington’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.