Photo: Lothar the Terrible · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Rule
Rule isn’t graded for hazard risk: Rule has 823 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2005.
What Rule 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
Hail
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.
Does Rule flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rule, from FEMA’s records.
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $43K
Rule isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Haskell County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rule
Disasters that paid out in Rule itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rule), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Hurricane Rita3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Haskell County has had 12 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 Rule after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rule archive →Get ready for what Rule 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.
- 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.
- 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 Rule
Does Rule flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Rule since 2005, $119K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (1).
Is Rule 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 Haskell County, 1.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rule?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rule’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 Rule?
By FEMA money that reached Rule, Hurricane Rita (2005): 3 households applied for aid, $8K approved. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 1 paid, $43K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rule.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rule’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.