Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Rosedale than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosedale gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 54 claims here since 1979.
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 Rosedale 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
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 Rosedale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rosedale, and Rosedale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rosedale’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Rosedale: $807K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rosedale flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rosedale, from FEMA’s records: 71.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $77K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $40K
Rosedale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bolivar County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rosedale
Disasters that paid out in Rosedale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rosedale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm250 households applied for aid$652K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Flooding24 households applied for aid$107K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$18K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Bolivar County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Rosedale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rosedale archive →Get ready for what Rosedale 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.
- 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 Rosedale
Is Rosedale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosedale has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) 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 Rosedale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Rosedale since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 71.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Rosedale 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 Bolivar County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rosedale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rosedale’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 Rosedale?
By FEMA money that reached Rosedale, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 250 households applied for aid, $652K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $77K.
Is Rosedale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Rosedale’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rosedale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rosedale’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.