Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Morganfield than in 75% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morganfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #101 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (40%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1979.
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 Morganfield faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
Ice storms
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 Morganfield’s grade
Earthquakes are 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morganfield, and Morganfield’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #101 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morganfield’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, Morganfield has more expected damage per building than 71% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Morganfield: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morganfield flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morganfield, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Morganfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morganfield
Disasters that paid out in Morganfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morganfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes50 households applied for aid$221K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$32K to the City of Morganfield for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$32K to the City of Morganfield for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$13K to the City of Morganfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$2K to the City of Morganfield for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$91K to the City of Morganfield for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$10K to the City of Morganfield for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow$3K to the City of Morganfield for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Union County has had 22 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 Morganfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morganfield archive →Morganfield and its neighbors
Morganfield is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breckinridge Center | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | — |
| Morganfield | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | 4 |
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 Morganfield faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Morganfield
Is Morganfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morganfield has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #101 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (40%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morganfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Morganfield since 1979, $54K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Morganfield 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 Union County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morganfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morganfield’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 Morganfield?
By FEMA money that reached Morganfield, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2025): 50 households applied for aid, $221K approved.
Is Morganfield at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Morganfield’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morganfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morganfield’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.