Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Stanton faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stanton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #105 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Stanton 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 Stanton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stanton, and Stanton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #105 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stanton’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, Stanton has more expected damage per building than 74% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Stanton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stanton flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stanton, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains5 claims · $99K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $48K
Stanton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Powell County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stanton
Disasters that paid out in Stanton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stanton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$227K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$52K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes31 households applied for aid$104K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides93 households applied for aid$114K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and11 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Powell County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Stanton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stanton archive →Get ready for what Stanton 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 Stanton
Is Stanton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stanton has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #105 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stanton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Stanton since 1978, $347K in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (5).
Is Stanton 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 Powell County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stanton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stanton’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 Stanton?
By FEMA money that reached Stanton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 29 households applied for aid, $227K approved. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 5 paid, $99K.
Is Stanton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Stanton’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stanton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stanton’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.