Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Rising Star
Rising Star isn’t graded for hazard risk: Rising Star has 668 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
What Rising Star 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
Wildfire
Hail
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.
Does Rising Star flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rising Star, from FEMA’s records.
- The Early summer severe storms1 claim · $23K
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $5K
Rising Star isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Eastland County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rising Star
Disasters that paid out in Rising Star itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rising Star), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding94 households applied for aid$474K aid approved$116K to the Town of Rising Star for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms17 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat4 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
Eastland County has had 16 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Eastland County, 2000–2022.
Old photos of Rising Star after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rising Star archive →Get ready for what Rising Star 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Rising Star
Does Rising Star flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Rising Star since 2007, $39K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (1).
Is Rising Star 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 Eastland County, 80% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rising Star?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rising Star’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 Rising Star?
By FEMA money that reached Rising Star, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 94 households applied for aid, $474K approved, and $116K to the Town of Rising Star for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 1 paid, $23K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rising Star.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rising Star’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.