Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rushford than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rushford gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1979.
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 Rushford 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
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 Rushford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rushford, and Rushford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rushford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $979K a year in losses across Rushford: $709K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rushford flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rushford, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $6K
Rushford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rushford
Disasters that paid out in Rushford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rushford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Rushford for repairs
Winnebago County has had 8 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 Rushford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rushford archive →Rushford and its neighbors
Rushford is 5th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utica | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Aurora | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Omro | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Poygan | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rushford | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Nepeuskun | — | 645 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 Rushford 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.
- 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 Rushford
Is Rushford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rushford has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). 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 Rushford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Rushford since 1979, $19K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Rushford 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 Winnebago County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rushford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rushford’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 Rushford?
By FEMA money that reached Rushford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $7K to the Town of Rushford for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Rushford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Rushford’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rushford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rushford’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.