Photo: NearEMPTiness · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in La Grange than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grange gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #36 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (21%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 La Grange 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
Strong wind
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 La Grange’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Grange, and La Grange’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #36 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Grange’s residents live in 5 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, La Grange has less expected damage per building than 75% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across La Grange: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Grange flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in La Grange. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
La Grange isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oldham County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Grange
Disasters that paid out in La Grange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Grange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides43 households applied for aid$73K aid approved
Oldham County has had 13 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 La Grange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Grange archive →Get ready for what La Grange 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 La Grange
Is La Grange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grange has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #36 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is La Grange 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 Oldham County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Grange?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Grange’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 La Grange?
By FEMA money that reached La Grange, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 43 households applied for aid, $73K approved.
Is La Grange at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and La Grange’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Grange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Grange’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.