Ludlow Theater, The · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Ludlow faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludlow gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #108 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Ludlow’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ludlow 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
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 Ludlow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ludlow, and Ludlow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #108 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ludlow’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, Ludlow has more expected damage per building than 76% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Ludlow: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ludlow flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ludlow, from FEMA’s records: 22.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding3 claims · $71K
Ludlow isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kenton County.The storms Ludlow remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Kenton County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Ludlow itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199727 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storm, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Kenton County
- 19785 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19794 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Kenton County has had 10 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 Ludlow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ludlow archive →Ludlow and its neighbors
Ludlow is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 723 |
| Ludlow | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Covington | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Bromley | — | 821 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Ludlow 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.
- 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 Ludlow
Is Ludlow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludlow has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #108 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ludlow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Ludlow since 1978, $589K in all, or 22.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (3).
Is Ludlow 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 Kenton County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ludlow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ludlow’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 Ludlow?
By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 3 paid, $71K.
Is Ludlow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Ludlow’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ludlow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ludlow’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.