Lexington Extension of the Louisville Southern Railroad · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Versailles than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Versailles gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #51 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1998.
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 stands out about Versailles’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Versailles 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
Strong wind
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 Versailles’ grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Versailles, and Versailles’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #51 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Versailles’ residents live in 5 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, Versailles has less expected damage per building than 65% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Versailles: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Versailles flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Versailles, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Versailles isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Woodford County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Versailles
Disasters that paid out in Versailles itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Versailles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides126 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides24 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes82 households applied for aid$210K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and80 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
Woodford County has had 19 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 Versailles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Versailles archive →Get ready for what Versailles 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Versailles
Is Versailles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Versailles has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #51 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Versailles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Versailles since 1998, $324K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Versailles 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 Woodford County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Versailles?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Versailles’ 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 Versailles?
By FEMA money that reached Versailles, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 126 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved.
Is Versailles at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Versailles’ rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Versailles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Versailles’ 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.