Photo: Publichall · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Mount Sterling faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Sterling gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #34 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1989.
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 Mount Sterling’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mount Sterling 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
Earthquakes
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 Mount Sterling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Sterling, and Mount Sterling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #34 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Sterling’s residents live in 5 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, Mount Sterling has less expected damage per building than 77% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Mount Sterling: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Sterling flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Sterling, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $4K
Mount Sterling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Sterling
Disasters that paid out in Mount Sterling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Sterling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes117 households applied for aid$231K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$52K to the City of Mount Sterling for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Montgomery County has had 20 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 Mount Sterling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Sterling archive →Get ready for what Mount Sterling 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Mount Sterling
Is Mount Sterling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Sterling has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #34 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Sterling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Mount Sterling since 1989, $1.3M in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Mount Sterling 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 Montgomery County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Sterling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Sterling’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 Mount Sterling?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Sterling, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 117 households applied for aid, $231K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Mount Sterling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Mount Sterling’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Sterling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Sterling’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.