Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Rockport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
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 Rockport 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 Rockport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockport, and Rockport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rockport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Rockport: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockport flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockport, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $2K
Rockport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Spencer County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockport
Disasters that paid out in Rockport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rockport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$22K to the City of Rockport for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$15K to the City of Rockport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$52K to the City of Rockport for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$23K to the City of Rockport for repairs
- 2004Snow$2K to the City of Rockport for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$1K to the City of Rockport for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$12K to the City of Rockport for repairs
Spencer County has had 12 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 Rockport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockport archive →Rockport and its neighbors
Rockport is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Rockport | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Rockport 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 Rockport
Is Rockport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockport has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (18%). 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.
Does Rockport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Rockport since 1983, $33K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Rockport 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 Spencer County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rockport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockport’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 Rockport?
By FEMA money that reached Rockport, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $52K to the City of Rockport for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Rockport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Rockport’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockport’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.