Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Rossville faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rossville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (44%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1984.
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 Rossville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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.
What’s behind Rossville’s grade
Earthquakes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rossville, and Rossville’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rossville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $993K a year in losses across Rossville: $664K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rossville flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rossville, from FEMA’s records: 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $24K
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $12K
Rossville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fayette County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rossville
Disasters that paid out in Rossville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rossville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm108 households applied for aid$391K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$40K to the Town of Rossville for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$14K to the Town of Rossville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$5K to the Town of Rossville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes23 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain56 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$4K to the Town of Rossville for repairs
Fayette County has had 16 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 Rossville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rossville archive →Rossville and its neighbors
Rossville is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piperton | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Rossville | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 7 |
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 Rossville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Rossville
Is Rossville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rossville has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (44%) and river and rain flooding (41%). 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 Rossville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Rossville since 1984, $46K in all, or 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Rossville 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 Fayette County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rossville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rossville’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 Rossville?
By FEMA money that reached Rossville, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 108 households applied for aid, $391K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $24K.
Is Rossville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Rossville’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rossville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rossville’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.