Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Prestonsburg’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prestonsburg gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #139 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 100 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 Prestonsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prestonsburg 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
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 Prestonsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prestonsburg, and Prestonsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #139 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prestonsburg’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, Prestonsburg has more expected damage per building than 98% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Prestonsburg: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prestonsburg flood? Yes: 100 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prestonsburg, from FEMA’s records: 54.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The February Kentucky Flooding14 claims · $732K
- The Heavy rains6 claims · $96K
Prestonsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Floyd County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Prestonsburg
Disasters that paid out in Prestonsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Prestonsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides267 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved16 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides384 households applied for aid$702K aid approved
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides77 households applied for aid$105K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding and Mudslides110 households applied for aid$181K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides705 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes121 households applied for aid$360K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and65 households applied for aid$152K aid approved
Floyd County has had 39 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Floyd County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Prestonsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prestonsburg archive →Prestonsburg and its neighbors
Prestonsburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prestonsburg | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Dwale | — | 170 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Prestonsburg 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.
- 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 Prestonsburg
Is Prestonsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prestonsburg has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #139 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prestonsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 100 claims in Prestonsburg since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 54.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from February Kentucky Flooding (14).
Is Prestonsburg 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 Floyd County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Prestonsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prestonsburg’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 Prestonsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Prestonsburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 705 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved. By flood claims, February Kentucky Flooding: 14 paid, $732K.
Is Prestonsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Prestonsburg’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prestonsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prestonsburg’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.