Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Rutledge’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rutledge gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Rutledge 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 Rutledge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rutledge, and Rutledge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rutledge’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $344K a year in losses across Rutledge: $237K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rutledge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Rutledge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Rutledge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grainger County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rutledge
Disasters that paid out in Rutledge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rutledge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$5K to the Town of Rutledge for repairs
Grainger County has had 15 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Grainger County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Rutledge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rutledge archive →Get ready for what Rutledge 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 Rutledge
Is Rutledge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rutledge has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Rutledge 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 Grainger County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rutledge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rutledge’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 Rutledge?
By FEMA money that reached Rutledge, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $5K to the Town of Rutledge for repairs.
Is Rutledge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Rutledge’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rutledge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rutledge’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.