FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Russiaville than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russiaville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (16%). 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 Russiaville 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
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 Russiaville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Russiaville, and Russiaville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Russiaville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $413K a year in losses across Russiaville: $293K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Russiaville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Russiaville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Russiaville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Howard County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Russiaville
Disasters that paid out in Russiaville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Russiaville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Snow$2K to the Town of Russiaville for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding86 households applied for aid$242K aid approved
Howard County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Russiaville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Russiaville archive →Get ready for what Russiaville 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.
- 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 Russiaville
Is Russiaville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Russiaville has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Russiaville 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 Howard County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Russiaville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Russiaville’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 Russiaville?
By FEMA money that reached Russiaville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 86 households applied for aid, $242K approved.
Is Russiaville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Russiaville’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Russiaville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Russiaville’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.