Less hazard damage per building is expected in Rodman than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rodman gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Rodman 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
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 Rodman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rodman, and Rodman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 6% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rodman’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $335K a year in losses across Rodman: $290K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rodman flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rodman, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rodman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rodman
Disasters that paid out in Rodman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rodman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Snow$2K to the Town of Rodman for repairs
Jefferson County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Rodman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rodman archive →Rodman and its neighbors
Rodman has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodman | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rutland | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Watertown | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Adams | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pinckney | — | 285 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lorraine | — | 878 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Rodman 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Rodman
Is Rodman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rodman has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rodman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rodman since 1998, $6K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rodman 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rodman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rodman’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 Rodman?
By FEMA money that reached Rodman, Snow (1999): $2K to the Town of Rodman for repairs.
Is Rodman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Rodman’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rodman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rodman’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.