Photo: Thomas R. Machnitzki (DoxTxob at en.wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Kenton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (67%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2001.
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 Kenton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Kenton’s grade
Earthquakes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenton, and Kenton’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kenton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Kenton: $555K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenton flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenton, from FEMA’s records: 17.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms3 claims · $75K
- The Late spring storms3 claims · $139K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $34K
Kenton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gibson County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenton
Disasters that paid out in Kenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$921K to the Town of Kenton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes53 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$325K to the Town of Kenton for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$20K to the Town of Kenton for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$35K to the Town of Kenton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes45 households applied for aid$209K aid approved$20K to the Town of Kenton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes25 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Gibson County has had 21 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 Kenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenton archive →Get ready for what Kenton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Kenton
Is Kenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenton has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (67%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Kenton since 2001, $335K in all, or 17.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (3).
Is Kenton 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 Gibson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kenton’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 Kenton?
By FEMA money that reached Kenton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 3 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $921K to the Town of Kenton for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 3 paid, $75K.
Is Kenton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Kenton’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenton’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.