Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Ruston’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ruston gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #23 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then ice storms (19%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1989.
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 Ruston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ruston 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Ruston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ruston, and Ruston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #23 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ruston’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ruston has less expected damage per building than 86% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Ruston: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ruston flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ruston, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Spring storm2 claims · $20K
- The Mid-summer severe storms1 claim · $5K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $5K
Ruston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lincoln Parish.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ruston
Disasters that paid out in Ruston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ruston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$29K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2021Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$92K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura1,770 households applied for aid$823K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Tornadoes$2.6M to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding215 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$344K to the City of Ruston for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$2K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$118K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$42K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$273K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$82K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$319K to the City of Ruston for repairs
- 1998Severe Ice Storm$267K to the City of Ruston for repairs
Lincoln Parish has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Ruston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ruston archive →Ruston and its neighbors
Ruston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grambling | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ruston | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Ruston 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Ruston residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ruston
Is Ruston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ruston has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #23 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and ice storms (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ruston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Ruston since 1989, $128K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Spring storm (2).
Is Ruston 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 Lincoln Parish, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ruston?
Ruston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ruston?
By FEMA money that reached Ruston, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2019): $2.6M to the City of Ruston for repairs. By flood claims, Spring storm: 2 paid, $20K.
Is Ruston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Ruston’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ruston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ruston’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.