Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA puts Owensboro’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owensboro gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #118 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 120 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 Owensboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Owensboro 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
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 Owensboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Owensboro, and Owensboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #118 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Owensboro’s residents live in 18 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, Owensboro has more expected damage per building than 83% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $43.1M a year in losses across Owensboro: $30.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Owensboro flood? Yes: 120 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Owensboro, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $113K
- The March storm3 claims · $17K
Owensboro is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Daviess County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Owensboro
Disasters that paid out in Owensboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Owensboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides181 households applied for aid$583K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$77K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides49 households applied for aid$45K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Daviess County has had 14 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 Owensboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Owensboro archive →Owensboro and its neighbors
Owensboro 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Owensboro | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
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 Owensboro 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.
- 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.
- Owensboro residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Owensboro
Is Owensboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owensboro has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #118 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Owensboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 120 claims in Owensboro since 1978, $1.0M in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Owensboro 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 Daviess County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Owensboro?
Owensboro is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Owensboro?
By FEMA money that reached Owensboro, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 181 households applied for aid, $583K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $113K.
Is Owensboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Owensboro’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Owensboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Owensboro’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.