Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lancaster faces less hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lancaster gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #29 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2010.
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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lancaster, and Lancaster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #29 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lancaster’s residents live in 2 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, Lancaster has less expected damage per building than 80% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Lancaster: $726K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lancaster flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lancaster, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lancaster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Garrard County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lancaster
Disasters that paid out in Lancaster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lancaster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides28 households applied for aid$139K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes74 households applied for aid$251K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Garrard 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 Lancaster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lancaster archive →Get ready for what Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Is Lancaster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lancaster has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #29 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lancaster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lancaster since 2010, $75K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lancaster 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 Garrard County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lancaster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lancaster’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 Lancaster?
By FEMA money that reached Lancaster, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 74 households applied for aid, $251K approved.
Is Lancaster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Lancaster’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lancaster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lancaster’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.