Rising Sun Historic District · Photo: Calvin Beale · Public domainRising Sun’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rising Sun gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Rising Sun 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
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 Rising Sun’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rising Sun, and Rising Sun’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rising Sun’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Rising Sun: $639K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rising Sun flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rising Sun, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rising Sun isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ohio County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rising Sun
Disasters that paid out in Rising Sun itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rising Sun), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$153K to the City of Rising Sun for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Rising Sun for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding79 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$91K to the City of Rising Sun for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$56K to the City of Rising Sun for repairs
- 2004Snow$8K to the City of Rising Sun for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Ohio County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rising Sun after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rising Sun archive →Rising Sun and its neighbors
Rising Sun has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising Sun | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Randolph Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Rabbit Hash | — | 175 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Rising Sun 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.
- 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 Rising Sun
Is Rising Sun at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rising Sun has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rising Sun flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rising Sun since 1997, $16K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rising Sun 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 Ohio County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rising Sun?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rising Sun’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 Rising Sun?
By FEMA money that reached Rising Sun, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 2 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $153K to the City of Rising Sun for repairs.
Is Rising Sun at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Rising Sun’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rising Sun.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rising Sun’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.