FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rochelle than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochelle gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (33%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 stands out about Rochelle’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rochelle faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Rochelle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rochelle, and Rochelle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rochelle’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $600K a year in losses across Rochelle: $277K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rochelle flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Rochelle. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Rochelle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilcox County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rochelle
Disasters that paid out in Rochelle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rochelle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene11 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Michael$28K to the City of Rochelle for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding32 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Wilcox County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rochelle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rochelle archive →Get ready for what Rochelle faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Rochelle
Is Rochelle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochelle has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (33%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Rochelle 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 Wilcox County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rochelle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rochelle’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 Rochelle?
By FEMA money that reached Rochelle, Hurricane Michael (2018): $28K to the City of Rochelle for repairs.
Is Rochelle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Rochelle’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rochelle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rochelle’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.