Photo: Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Murray’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murray gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #107 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Murray’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Murray 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
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 Murray’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murray, and Murray’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #107 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Murray’s residents live in 7 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, Murray has more expected damage per building than 75% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.3M a year in losses across Murray: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Murray flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Murray, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Murray isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calloway County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Murray
Disasters that paid out in Murray itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Murray), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides54 households applied for aid$269K aid approved$24K to the City of Murray for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides33 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$37K to the City of Murray for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$21K to the City of Murray for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$42K to the City of Murray for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$280K to the City of Murray for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$54K to the City of Murray for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes$19K to the City of Murray for repairs
Calloway County has had 15 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 Murray after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murray archive →Get ready for what Murray 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.
- 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 Murray
Is Murray at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murray has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #107 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Murray flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Murray since 1978, $1.0M in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Murray 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 Calloway County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Murray?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Murray’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 Murray?
By FEMA money that reached Murray, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 54 households applied for aid, $269K approved, and $24K to the City of Murray for repairs.
Is Murray at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Murray’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murray.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murray’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.