Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Somerset than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #50 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 Somerset 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
Tornadoes
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 Somerset’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerset, and Somerset’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #50 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somerset’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, Somerset has less expected damage per building than 65% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Somerset: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerset flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somerset, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Somerset isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pulaski County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somerset
Disasters that paid out in Somerset itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Somerset), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes357 households applied for aid$940K aid approved$31K to the City of Somerset for repairs
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides44 households applied for aid$112K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes192 households applied for aid$333K aid approved$26K to the City of Somerset for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
Pulaski County has had 20 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 Somerset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerset archive →Somerset and its neighbors
Somerset has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Ferguson | — | 849 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Burnside | — | 755 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Science Hill | — | 647 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Somerset 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Somerset
Is Somerset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #50 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somerset flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Somerset since 1978, $438K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Somerset 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 Pulaski County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somerset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerset’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 Somerset?
By FEMA money that reached Somerset, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2025): 357 households applied for aid, $940K approved, and $31K to the City of Somerset for repairs.
Is Somerset at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Somerset’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerset’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.