Rockvale Store · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rockvale than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockvale gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2013.
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 Rockvale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rockvale 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 Rockvale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockvale, and Rockvale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rockvale’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $425K a year in losses across Rockvale: $252K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockvale flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockvale, from FEMA’s records: 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rockvale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rutherford County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockvale
Disasters that paid out in Rockvale itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rockvale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes30 households applied for aid$91K aid approved
Rutherford County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rockvale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockvale archive →Rockvale and its neighbors
Rockvale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockvale | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Murfreesboro | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
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 Rockvale 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 Rockvale
Is Rockvale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockvale has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (11%). 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 Rockvale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Rockvale since 2013, $409K in all, or 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rockvale 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 Rutherford County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rockvale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockvale’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 Rockvale?
By FEMA money that reached Rockvale, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 30 households applied for aid, $91K approved.
Is Rockvale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Rockvale’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockvale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockvale’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.