FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Reidland than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reidland gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #131 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 Reidland 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 Reidland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reidland, and Reidland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 37%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #131 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Reidland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Kentucky town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Reidland has more expected damage per building than 92% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Reidland: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reidland flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reidland, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $152K
Reidland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McCracken County.The storms Reidland remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for McCracken County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Reidland itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20113 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for McCracken County
- 20133 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19982 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
McCracken County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Reidland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reidland archive →Get ready for what Reidland 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 Reidland
Is Reidland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reidland has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #131 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (37%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Reidland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Reidland since 1979, $279K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is Reidland 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 McCracken County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Reidland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reidland’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 Reidland?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $152K.
Is Reidland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Reidland’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reidland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reidland’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.