Water Damage Restoration in Lexington, KY
Lexington by the numbers: 38 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 90 freezing nights a year, 12 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Kentucky insurance rules and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Lexington
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Lexington Flood Record
NOAA has 94 flood and flash flood reports for the 6 counties of the Lexington metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 38 separate days; July had the most.
At the Lexington Bluegrass Airport gauge, May is the wettest month with 5.4 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 3.4 |
| February | 6 | 3.6 |
| March | 1 | 4.5 |
| April | 2 | 4.4 |
| May | 4 | 5.4 |
| June | 5 | 5 |
| July | 7 | 5.1 |
| August | 4 | 3.7 |
| September | 3 | 3.4 |
| October | 3 | 3.7 |
| November | 1 | 3.4 |
| December | 1 | 4.2 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | 16 | 23 |
| Scott County | 11 | 34 |
| Bourbon County | 10 | 15 |
| Clark County | 7 | 14 |
| Jessamine County | 3 | 5 |
| Woodford County | 3 | 3 |
Freezing Nights in Lexington
Lexington averages 90 nights a year at or below 32°F (Lexington Bluegrass Airport station). About 26 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 24 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 6 counties of the Lexington metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Lexington
The 6 counties of the Lexington metro area were named in 12 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- October 19, 2025: Tornado, EF1 (Jessamine County)The National Weather Service in Louisville found a tornado occurred on Sunday October 19th in west Nicholasville at the RJ Corman Group complex near Highway 27.
- April 2, 2024: Tornado, EF1 (Bourbon County)This fairly long-tornado, for a squall line, started off as a trio of funnels that merged into one tornado at touchdown, per eyewitness accounts on a farm off Bethlehem Road. Multiple structures on the farm had damage.
- May 19, 2022: Hail, 3 inch hail (Fayette County)Three inch diameter hail was observed near the Chilesburg community in eastern Fayette County.
- January 11, 2020: Thunderstorm wind, 98 mph gust (Clark County)Broadcast media showed pictures of barns flattened in the Boonesborough area.
- July 2, 2018: Flash flood (Jessamine County)West Lane near Hickman Creek Crossing was washed out from high water.
Federal disaster declarations
- September 1, 2026: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4937
- January 24, 2026: Severe Winter StormWinter Storm, FEMA EM-3633
- April 24, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4864
- April 3, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA EM-3626
- February 24, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And MudslidesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4860
- February 16, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And LandslidesSevere Storm, FEMA EM-3624
- November 26, 2024: Remnants Of Hurricane HeleneTropical Storm, FEMA DR-4848
- July 23, 2024: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, And MudslidesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4804
Lexington Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Lexington (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 148,959 housing units, a median build year of 1984, 45% built before 1980, 31% before 1970, 54% owner occupied.
Kentucky Insurance Rules for Water Claims
Kentucky insurers must acknowledge a claim notice within 15 days unless they pay in that time (806 KAR 12:095).
Claim problems in Kentucky go to the Kentucky Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Lexington flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Lexington
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
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Questions
When is the first freeze in Lexington?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 28 and the median last is April 13 at the Lexington Bluegrass Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
Does Kentucky license mold assessment or remediation?
No. The Kentucky Attorney General says there are no state regulations for certifying mold remediation companies (Kentucky Attorney General, mold remediation).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, 806 KAR 12:095, Kentucky Attorney General, mold remediation, EPA mold guide.