Paducah, Kentucky: natural disaster risk
How exposed Paducah is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for McCracken County.
Paducah is a city of 26,845 people in McCracken County, Kentucky. FEMA's National Risk Index rates McCracken County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are earthquake, inland flooding and heat wave, with about $78.9 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 522 storm reports in the county since 1956, including 28 tornadoes and 144 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 1 tropical storm passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.7% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for McCracken County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Paducah
Full McCracken County report ›- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | $38M | |
| Inland flooding | $19M | |
| Heat wave | $6M | |
| Tornado | $5M | |
| Cold wave | $5M | |
| Strong wind | $1M | |
| Ice storm | $1M | |
| Hail | $942K | |
| Lightning | $649K | |
| Drought | $507K | |
| Winter weather | $367K | |
| Hurricane | $41K |
Homes in Paducah
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in McCracken County
Common questions about Paducah
Is Paducah safe from natural disasters?
Paducah is in McCracken County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Paducah?
By expected yearly losses in McCracken County, the top hazards are earthquake (Moderate), inland flooding (Moderate), heat wave (Moderate). McCracken County has been part of 21 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Paducah get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 28 tornadoes in McCracken County since 1950; the strongest was an EF2 tornado on March 14, 2019 near Cammelia. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county moderate.
Do I need flood insurance in Paducah?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In McCracken County, about 0.7% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.