General U.S. Grant Bridge · Photo: IpsoPhatso at English Wikipedia · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, South Shore faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Shore gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 South Shore 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
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 South Shore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Shore, and South Shore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Shore’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $554K a year in losses across South Shore: $418K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Shore flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Shore, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Shore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenup County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Shore
Disasters that paid out in South Shore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Shore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$140K aid approved
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes78 households applied for aid$333K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes27 households applied for aid$85K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and197 households applied for aid$291K aid approved$26K to the City of South Shore for repairs
Greenup County has had 27 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 South Shore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Shore archive →South Shore and its neighbors
South Shore is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| South Shore | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 South Shore 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.
- 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 South Shore
Is South Shore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Shore has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 South Shore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Shore since 1997, $1K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Shore 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 Greenup County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Shore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Shore’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 South Shore?
By FEMA money that reached South Shore, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 78 households applied for aid, $333K approved.
Is South Shore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and South Shore’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Shore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Shore’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.