Pendleton County, KY Environment & Hazard Risk

• LightningRelatively Moderate$491K/yr expected annual loss, about 51 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$668K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.4 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$2,228/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• TornadoRelatively Low$1.2M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• Heat waveVery Low$170K/yr expected annual loss, about 6.5 events a year
• EarthquakeVery Low$79.7K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 593 years
• Ice stormRelatively Low$31.4K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$370K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.7 events a year
• DroughtVery Low$2,411/yr expected annual loss, about 2.2 events a year
• Winter weatherVery Low$14.8K/yr expected annual loss, about 11 events a year
• HurricaneVery Low$1,237/yr expected annual loss, about once every 92 years
• HailVery Low$23K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.3 events a year
• WildfireVery Low$1,678/yr expected annual loss, about once every 36,507 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

132 of 6,847 (1.9%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

494

Insured in high-risk zones

128 (26%)

Flood claims since 1978

180

Claims paid since 1978

$5.3M

• Thunderstorm Wind114
• Flood45 · 6 deaths
• Winter Storm30
• Flash Flood25
• Hail21
• Winter Weather14
• High Wind11
• Heavy Snow6
• Ice Storm6
• Tornado6

• Flood03/01/1997

  Pendleton

  5 deaths, $35M damage

  What happened

  Persistent heavy rainfall occurred for nearly 36 hours on the 1st and 2nd. Up to 12 inches of rain fell across parts of Northern Kentucky bringing the Licking river at Falmouth out of it's banks. On the evening of the 2nd, the river crested at over 50 feet, which is the highest stage on record. The crest is an estimation since the gage was under water. Over 80 percent of Falmouth was inundated with water and almost the entire town of 2400 residents was evacuated. The town of Butler also experienced significant flooding. US 27 and Route 22 were covered by high water. Five people were killed by the river flooding all of which returned to their homes after being evacuated to shelters.

• Flash Flood03/01/1997

  Countywide, Pendleton County

  $10M damage

  What happened

  Estimated rainfall of 6 to 12 inches across the county in less than 36 hours caused numerous creeks and streams to rise out of their banks. Many roads across the county were covered and some were even washed out. Several evacuations occurred across the county.

• Flood04/07/2025

  Butler, Pendleton County

  1 death

  What happened

  A man died of a heart attack while launching his canoe into the flooded Licking River.

• Lightning06/14/2005

  Peach Grove, Pendleton County

  1 death

  What happened

  A man was struck by lightning as he walked along State Route 154 in Peach Grove. He later died at the hospital.

• TornadoEF1, 3.75 mi path, 420 yd wide12/24/2015

  Greenwood, Pendleton County

  3 injured, $120K damage

  What happened

  Damage was first observed just north of the intersection of U.S. Route 27 and Bethel Loop. This location is south of Butler and northwest of Falmouth in Pendleton County. A mobile home originally anchored into the ground at 8-10 points was tilted and briefly lifted before rolling onto its top on the east side of Bethel Loop. The three residents sustained minor injuries requiring overnight hospitalization. Debris from the mobile home was carried downwind for approximately one-tenth of a mile. The debris field remained confined to a narrow path as it tapered to the east-northeast. This seemed indicative of convergent motion associated with the circulation. There were also several 6-8 inch trees snapped immediately west of the mobile home. This is likely where the first touchdown occurred. The tornado then lifted. The next damage location was a metal barn on Ashcraft Road. The entire roof was lifted and removed from the barn. The roof measured approximately 60 feet by 30 feet and the barn was relatively new (construction within the last 10 years). The roof was carried into adjacent trees immediately northeast of the structure. There was minor damage to a smaller barn just...

• TornadoF2, 2 mi path, 200 yd wide05/09/1996

  Butler, Pendleton County

  2 injured, $75K damage

  What happened

  Tornado hit just south of Butler, near US 27 ripping apart a two story brick home and destroying two barns. A car was severely damaged and numerous trees and utility lines were downed.

• East Pendleton Water DistrictServes 5,515 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• Falmouth Water DepartmentServes 3,861 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Pendleton Co Water District #1/SouthServes 3,713 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• Pendleton Co Water District #1 / NorthServes 1,485 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• Butler Water WorksServes 980 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+4 monitoring or reporting