Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Kilmarnock faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kilmarnock gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Kilmarnock faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Kilmarnock’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kilmarnock, and Kilmarnock’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kilmarnock’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Kilmarnock: $696K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kilmarnock flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kilmarnock, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kilmarnock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lancaster County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kilmarnock
Disasters that paid out in Kilmarnock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kilmarnock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of Kilmarnock for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel176 households applied for aid$151K aid approved$25K to the Town of Kilmarnock for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Town of Kilmarnock for repairs
Lancaster County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kilmarnock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kilmarnock archive →Get ready for what Kilmarnock faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Kilmarnock
Is Kilmarnock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kilmarnock has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kilmarnock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Kilmarnock since 2018, $12K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kilmarnock 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 Lancaster County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kilmarnock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kilmarnock’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 Kilmarnock?
By FEMA money that reached Kilmarnock, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 176 households applied for aid, $151K approved, and $25K to the Town of Kilmarnock for repairs.
Is Kilmarnock at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Kilmarnock’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kilmarnock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kilmarnock’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.