FEMA puts Thruston’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thruston gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #124 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims 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 Thruston 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
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 Thruston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thruston, and Thruston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #124 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Thruston’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, Thruston has more expected damage per building than 87% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Thruston: $884K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thruston flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thruston, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $12K
- Tropical Storm Fred1 claim · $65K
Thruston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Daviess County.The storms Thruston remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Daviess County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Thruston itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19971 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storm, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Daviess County
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Daviess County
- 20161 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storm, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Daviess County
Daviess County has had 14 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 Thruston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thruston archive →Get ready for what Thruston 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.
- 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 Thruston
Is Thruston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thruston has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #124 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thruston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Thruston since 1997, $152K in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Thruston 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 Daviess County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Thruston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thruston’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 Thruston?
By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Thruston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Thruston’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thruston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thruston’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.