McKinney-Helm House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Radcliff than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Radcliff gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #30 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1997.
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 Radcliff’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Radcliff 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Radcliff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Radcliff, and Radcliff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #30 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Radcliff’s residents live in 10 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, Radcliff has less expected damage per building than 79% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Radcliff: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Radcliff flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Radcliff, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $887
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $15K
Radcliff is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hardin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Radcliff
Disasters that paid out in Radcliff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Radcliff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides61 households applied for aid$221K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Hardin County has had 22 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 Radcliff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Radcliff archive →Radcliff and its neighbors
Radcliff has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radcliff | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Elizabethtown | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Fort Knox | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vine Grove | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Radcliff 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Radcliff residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Radcliff
Is Radcliff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Radcliff has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #30 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Radcliff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Radcliff since 1997, $373K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Radcliff 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 Hardin County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Radcliff?
Radcliff is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Radcliff?
By FEMA money that reached Radcliff, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 61 households applied for aid, $221K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $887.
Is Radcliff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Radcliff’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Radcliff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Radcliff’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.