Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Louisa than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Louisa gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #135 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Louisa 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
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 Louisa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Louisa, and Louisa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #135 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Louisa’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, Louisa has more expected damage per building than 95% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Louisa: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Louisa flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Louisa, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Louisa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Louisa
Disasters that paid out in Louisa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Louisa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$162K aid approved$221K to the City of Louisa for repairs
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides49 households applied for aid$146K aid approved$21K to the City of Louisa for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$109K to the City of Louisa for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$10K to the City of Louisa for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides102 households applied for aid$165K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding478 households applied for aid$553K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$80K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides61 households applied for aid$112K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes38 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes33 households applied for aid$114K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and59 households applied for aid$173K aid approved
Lawrence County has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Lawrence County, 2000–2001.
Old photos of Louisa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Louisa archive →Get ready for what Louisa 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.
- 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 Louisa
Is Louisa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Louisa has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #135 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Louisa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Louisa since 2019, $2K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Louisa 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 Lawrence County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Louisa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Louisa’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 Louisa?
By FEMA money that reached Louisa, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2012): 478 households applied for aid, $553K approved.
Is Louisa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Louisa’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Louisa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Louisa’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.