Photo: Patrick Feller from Humble, Texas, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rusk than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rusk gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #121 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1999.
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 Rusk 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
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 Rusk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rusk, and Rusk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #121 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rusk’s residents live in 3 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, Rusk has less expected damage per building than 81% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Rusk: $750K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rusk flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rusk, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rusk isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rusk
Disasters that paid out in Rusk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rusk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms167 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$33K to the City of Rusk for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding9 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike401 households applied for aid$193K aid approved$189K to the City of Rusk for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding45 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$19K to the City of Rusk for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$9K to the City of Rusk for repairs
Show all 8
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$3K to the City of Rusk for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$5K to the City of Rusk for repairs
Cherokee County has had 21 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.
Old photos of Rusk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rusk archive →Get ready for what Rusk 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.
- 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 Rusk
Is Rusk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rusk has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #121 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rusk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rusk since 1999, $38K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rusk 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 Cherokee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rusk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rusk’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 Rusk?
By FEMA money that reached Rusk, Hurricane Ike (2008): 401 households applied for aid, $193K approved, and $189K to the City of Rusk for repairs.
Is Rusk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Rusk’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rusk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rusk’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.