Photo: Nils Huenerfuerst · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Maysville than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maysville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #100 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.
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 Maysville 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 Maysville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maysville, and Maysville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #100 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maysville’s residents live in 4 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, Maysville has more expected damage per building than 70% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Maysville: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maysville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maysville, 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.
Maysville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mason County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maysville
Disasters that paid out in Maysville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Maysville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides38 households applied for aid$186K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and39 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Mason County has had 19 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 Maysville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maysville archive →Maysville and its neighbors
Maysville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maysville | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Huntington Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Aberdeen | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Union Township | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Ripley | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
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 Maysville 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 Maysville
Is Maysville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maysville has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #100 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Maysville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Maysville since 1997, $26K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Maysville 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 Mason County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maysville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maysville’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 Maysville?
By FEMA money that reached Maysville, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2010): 38 households applied for aid, $186K approved.
Is Maysville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Maysville’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maysville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maysville’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.