FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Raceland as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raceland gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
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 Raceland 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 Raceland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raceland, and Raceland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raceland’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $731K a year in losses across Raceland: $478K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raceland flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raceland, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $6K
Raceland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenup County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raceland
Disasters that paid out in Raceland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Raceland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Greenup County has had 27 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 Raceland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raceland archive →Raceland and its neighbors
Raceland is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatwoods | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Raceland | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Worthington | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wurtland | — | not graded yet | |
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 Raceland 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 Raceland
Is Raceland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raceland has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raceland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Raceland since 2009, $7K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Raceland 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 Greenup County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raceland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raceland’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 Raceland?
By FEMA money that reached Raceland, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes (2003): 4 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Raceland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Raceland’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raceland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raceland’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.