Photo: Bedford at en.wikipedia · Public domainFor hail, Russellville’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russellville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #79 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1981.
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 Russellville 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
Hail
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 Russellville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Russellville, and Russellville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #79 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Russellville’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, Russellville has more expected damage per building than 55% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Russellville: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Russellville flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Russellville, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Russellville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Logan County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Russellville
Disasters that paid out in Russellville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Russellville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides45 households applied for aid$107K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes214 households applied for aid$211K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes23 households applied for aid$88K aid approved
Logan County has had 14 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 Russellville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Russellville archive →Get ready for what Russellville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Russellville
Is Russellville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russellville has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #79 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Russellville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Russellville since 1981, $117K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Russellville 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 Logan County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Russellville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Russellville’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 Russellville?
By FEMA money that reached Russellville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2021): 214 households applied for aid, $211K approved.
Is Russellville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Russellville’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Russellville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Russellville’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.