McKay-Thornberry House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Philpot’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Philpot gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (10%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Philpot 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 Philpot’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Philpot, and Philpot’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Philpot’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $550K a year in losses across Philpot: $392K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Philpot flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Philpot. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Philpot isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Daviess County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Philpot
Disasters that paid out in Philpot itself (aid to households or repair grants to Philpot), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
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 Philpot after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Philpot archive →Get ready for what Philpot 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Philpot
Is Philpot at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Philpot has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Philpot 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 Philpot?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Philpot’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 Philpot?
By FEMA money that reached Philpot, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 6 households applied for aid, $31K approved.
Is Philpot at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Philpot’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Philpot.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Philpot’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.