Empire School · Photo: Ntsimp · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Rupert faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rupert gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #17 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (28%). 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 Rupert 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
Earthquakes
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 Rupert’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rupert, and Rupert’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 28% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #17 of 59 in Idaho; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rupert’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Idaho town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Rupert has less expected damage per building than 72% of Idaho towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Rupert: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rupert flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Rupert. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Rupert isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Minidoka County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rupert
Disasters that paid out in Rupert itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rupert), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Rupert for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$2K to the City of Rupert for repairs
Minidoka County has had 2 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rupert after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rupert archive →Get ready for what Rupert 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Rupert
Is Rupert at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rupert has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #17 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Rupert 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 Minidoka County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rupert?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rupert’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 Rupert?
By FEMA money that reached Rupert, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2017): $19K to the City of Rupert for repairs.
Is Rupert at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Rupert’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rupert.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rupert’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.