Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rutherford than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rutherford gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2001.
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 Rutherford 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 Rutherford’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rutherford, and Rutherford’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rutherford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Rutherford: $509K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rutherford flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rutherford, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rutherford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gibson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rutherford
Disasters that paid out in Rutherford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rutherford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes33 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$15K to the Town of Rutherford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$53K to the Town of Rutherford for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes101 households applied for aid$141K aid approved$177K to the Town of Rutherford for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$174 aid approved
Gibson County has had 21 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 Rutherford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rutherford archive →Get ready for what Rutherford 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 Rutherford
Is Rutherford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rutherford has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (21%). 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 Rutherford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Rutherford since 2001, $9K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rutherford 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 Gibson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rutherford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rutherford’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 Rutherford?
By FEMA money that reached Rutherford, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2006): 101 households applied for aid, $141K approved, and $177K to the Town of Rutherford for repairs.
Is Rutherford at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Rutherford’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rutherford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rutherford’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.