Storms, floods and disasters in Rulo
Rulo isn’t graded for hazard risk: Rulo has 164 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1978.
What Rulo 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
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.
Does Rulo flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rulo, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $139K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $50K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $28K
Rulo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Richardson County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rulo
Disasters that paid out in Rulo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Rulo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$259K to the Village of Rulo for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the Village of Rulo for repairs
- 2011Flooding13 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$12K to the Village of Rulo for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Village of Rulo for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$814 to the Village of Rulo for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$449 aid approved$4K to the Village of Rulo for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$18K to the Village of Rulo for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$27K to the Village of Rulo for repairs
Richardson County has had 20 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 Rulo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rulo archive →Get ready for what Rulo 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.
- 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 Rulo
Does Rulo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Rulo since 1978, $899K in all. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (5).
Is Rulo 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 Richardson County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rulo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rulo’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 Rulo?
By FEMA money that reached Rulo, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 18 households applied for aid, $56K approved, and $259K to the Village of Rulo for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $139K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rulo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rulo’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.