Photo: Nicolas Henderson from Coppell, Texas · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Rotan faces less hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rotan gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hail (31%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2000.
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 stands out about Rotan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rotan 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Rotan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rotan, and Rotan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 31%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rotan’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $936K a year in losses across Rotan: $408K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rotan flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rotan, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
The storms Rotan remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Fisher County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Rotan itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20001 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20051 flood claims paidThe year of Extreme Wildfire Threat, declared for Fisher County
Fisher County has had 10 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fisher County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Rotan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rotan archive →Get ready for what Rotan 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Rotan
Is Rotan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rotan has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hail (31%). 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 Rotan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rotan since 2000, $55K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Rotan 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.
How much is flood insurance in Rotan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rotan’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Rotan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Rotan’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rotan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rotan’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.