Photo: Nyttend · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Rutland
Rutland isn’t graded for hazard risk: Rutland has 956 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 52 claims here since 1978.
What Rutland 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
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 Rutland flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rutland, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Ivan8 claims · $101K
Rutland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Meigs County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rutland
Disasters that paid out in Rutland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Rutland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$33K to the Village of Rutland for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow10 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Meigs County has had 14 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 Rutland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rutland archive →Get ready for what Rutland 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.
- 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 Rutland
Does Rutland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Rutland since 1978, $592K in all. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (8).
Is Rutland 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 Meigs County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rutland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rutland’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 Rutland?
By FEMA money that reached Rutland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 20 households applied for aid, $43K approved, and $33K to the Village of Rutland for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 8 paid, $101K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rutland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rutland’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.