Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Ruleville faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ruleville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1982.
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 Ruleville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ruleville 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 Ruleville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ruleville, and Ruleville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ruleville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Ruleville: $697K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ruleville flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ruleville, from FEMA’s records: 30.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Nicholas1 claim · $89K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $2K
Ruleville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sunflower County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ruleville
Disasters that paid out in Ruleville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ruleville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm445 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$13K to the City of Ruleville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$264 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$37K to the City of Ruleville for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$3K to the City of Ruleville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain$1K to the City of Ruleville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Sunflower County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Ruleville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ruleville archive →Get ready for what Ruleville 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 Ruleville
Is Ruleville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ruleville has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (14%). 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 Ruleville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Ruleville since 1982, $343K in all, or 30.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Nicholas (1).
Is Ruleville 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 Sunflower County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ruleville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ruleville’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 Ruleville?
By FEMA money that reached Ruleville, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 445 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $13K to the City of Ruleville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Nicholas: 1 paid, $89K.
Is Ruleville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Ruleville’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ruleville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ruleville’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.