Photo: Wdyo222 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Princeton faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #116 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1998.
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 Princeton 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
Ice storms
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 Princeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Princeton, and Princeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #116 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Princeton’s residents live in 3 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, Princeton has more expected damage per building than 82% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Princeton: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Princeton flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Princeton, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
Princeton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caldwell County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Princeton
Disasters that paid out in Princeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Princeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes61 households applied for aid$133K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides56 households applied for aid$95K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes533 households applied for aid$270K aid approved
Caldwell County has had 20 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 Princeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Princeton archive →Get ready for what Princeton 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Princeton
Is Princeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #116 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Princeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Princeton since 1998, $219K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Princeton 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 Caldwell County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Princeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Princeton’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 Princeton?
By FEMA money that reached Princeton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2021): 533 households applied for aid, $270K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Princeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Princeton’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Princeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Princeton’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.