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Downtown London KYPhoto: w.marsh · CC BY 2.0
A−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in London · FEMA

Less hazard damage per building is expected in London than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, London gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #16 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.

River and rain flooding 57%Tornadoes 14%Hail 13%

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

less than 78%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#16 of 142 in Kentucky
Hazard risk
A−#16 of 142
in Kentucky · lower than 78% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
57% of expected building damage
Flood claims
2
paid since 2013 · $29K
Disasters paid out here
6
of 21 declared for Laurel County
By hazard

What London 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

57%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

14%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts

Hail

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area

Earthquakes

11%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Wildfire Strong wind Winter storms Hurricanes Ice storms Lightning Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 20% of London’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind London’s grade

River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in London, and London’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.

Where London sits
London
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A− #16 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).

London’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding57%Tornadoes14%Hail13%Everything else16%

The typical Kentucky town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, London has less expected damage per building than 89% of Kentucky towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across London: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes in 2025, FEMA took 672 aid registrations from London addresses (the town has 3,682 homes).
A small-area figure. London covers 5 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does London flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in London, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
2013: 1 claim2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 1 claim2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims20132021
20132026
2
paid claims since 2013
$29K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$14K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

London isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Laurel County.
Disasters

6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to London

Disasters that paid out in London itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of London), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes672 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$1.2M to the City of London for repairs
  2. 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
  3. 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides37 households applied for aid$81K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
  4. 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding40 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
  5. 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides57 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
  6. 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$14K to the City of London for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in LondonLaurel County only

Laurel 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.

Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Laurel County, 2000–2001.

Were you here?

Old photos of London after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the London archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what London faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in London

Is London at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, London has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #16 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does London flood?

Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in London since 2013, $29K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Is London 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 Laurel County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in London?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for London’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 London?

By FEMA money that reached London, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2025): 672 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved, and $1.2M to the City of London for repairs.

Is London at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and London’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in London.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where London’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.