Zack Stansbury House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Mount Washington than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Washington gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #31 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Mount Washington 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
Strong wind
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 Washington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Washington, and Mount Washington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #31 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Washington’s residents live in 6 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 Washington has less expected damage per building than 79% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Mount Washington: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Washington flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Washington, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The February Kentucky Flooding1 claim · $45K
Mount Washington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bullitt County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Washington
Disasters that paid out in Mount Washington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Washington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$43K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$41K to the City of Mount Washington for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$28K to the City of Mount Washington for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$31K to the City of Mount Washington for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$5K to the City of Mount Washington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Bullitt County has had 21 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.
Old photos of Mount Washington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Washington archive →Get ready for what Mount Washington 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Washington
Is Mount Washington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Washington has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #31 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Washington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Mount Washington since 1997, $84K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from February Kentucky Flooding (1).
Is Mount Washington 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 Bullitt County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Washington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Washington’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 Washington?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Washington, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 10 households applied for aid, $43K approved. By flood claims, February Kentucky Flooding: 1 paid, $45K.
Is Mount Washington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Mount Washington’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Washington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Washington’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.