Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Wilmore faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmore gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #24 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1989.
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 Wilmore 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
Hail
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 Wilmore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilmore, and Wilmore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #24 of 142 in Kentucky; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wilmore’s residents live in 3 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, Wilmore has less expected damage per building than 84% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Wilmore: $946K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilmore flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilmore, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wilmore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jessamine County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilmore
Disasters that paid out in Wilmore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wilmore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides50 households applied for aid$538K aid approved
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$328 aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes38 households applied for aid$186K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Jessamine County has had 21 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 Wilmore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilmore archive →Get ready for what Wilmore 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Wilmore
Is Wilmore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmore has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #24 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilmore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Wilmore since 1989, $255K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wilmore 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 Jessamine County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wilmore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilmore’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 Wilmore?
By FEMA money that reached Wilmore, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 50 households applied for aid, $538K approved.
Is Wilmore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Wilmore’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilmore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilmore’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.