Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Rockdale faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockdale gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #61 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (16%). 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 Rockdale 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Hail
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 Rockdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockdale, and Rockdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #61 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rockdale’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Rockdale has less expected damage per building than 91% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Rockdale: $793K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockdale flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Rockdale. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Rockdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Milam County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockdale
Disasters that paid out in Rockdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rockdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$186K to the City of Rockdale for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms113 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey$76K to the City of Rockdale for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding58 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$54K to the City of Rockdale for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$116K to the City of Rockdale for repairs
Milam County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. 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 Milam County, 1998–1998.
Old photos of Rockdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockdale archive →Rockdale and its neighbors
Rockdale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockdale | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Praesel | — | 265 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Rockdale 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.
- 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Rockdale
Is Rockdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockdale has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #61 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Rockdale 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 Milam County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rockdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockdale’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 Rockdale?
By FEMA money that reached Rockdale, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $186K to the City of Rockdale for repairs.
Is Rockdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Rockdale’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockdale’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.