Science Hill School · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Shelbyville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelbyville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #55 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2000.
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 Shelbyville 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
Strong wind
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 Shelbyville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelbyville, and Shelbyville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #55 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shelbyville’s residents live in 7 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, Shelbyville has less expected damage per building than 62% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Shelbyville: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelbyville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelbyville, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Shelbyville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelbyville
Disasters that paid out in Shelbyville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shelbyville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$74K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$38K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and14 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$8K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow$8K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and$12K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs
Shelby County has had 15 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 Shelbyville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelbyville archive →Get ready for what Shelbyville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Shelbyville
Is Shelbyville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelbyville has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #55 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shelbyville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Shelbyville since 2000, $31K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Shelbyville 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 Shelby County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shelbyville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelbyville’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 Shelbyville?
By FEMA money that reached Shelbyville, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2009): $74K to the City of Shelbyville for repairs.
Is Shelbyville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Shelbyville’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelbyville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelbyville’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.