Photo: Bedford at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Springfield 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, Springfield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #74 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1992.
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 Springfield 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 Springfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springfield, and Springfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #74 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springfield’s residents live in 2 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, Springfield has more expected damage per building than 52% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Springfield: $945K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Springfield flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springfield, from FEMA’s records: 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Springfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Springfield
Disasters that paid out in Springfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Springfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes36 households applied for aid$115K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Washington County has had 24 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 Springfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springfield archive →Get ready for what Springfield 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 Springfield
Is Springfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #74 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Springfield since 1992, $147K in all, or 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Springfield 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 Washington County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Springfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Springfield’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 Springfield?
By FEMA money that reached Springfield, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 36 households applied for aid, $115K approved.
Is Springfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Springfield’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springfield’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.