Photo: Nyttend · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Rupert
Rupert isn’t graded for hazard risk: Rupert has 909 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1996.
What Rupert 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
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 Rupert flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rupert, from FEMA’s records.
- The Summer severe storms4 claims · $214K
- The Heavy rains3 claims · $71K
Rupert isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenbrier County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rupert
Disasters that paid out in Rupert itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rupert), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides187 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$51K to the Town of Rupert for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds23 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1K to the Town of Rupert for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides110 households applied for aid$724K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Greenbrier County has had 22 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 Rupert after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rupert archive →Get ready for what Rupert 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.
- 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 Rupert
Does Rupert flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Rupert since 1996, $496K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (4).
Is Rupert 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 Greenbrier County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rupert?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rupert’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 Rupert?
By FEMA money that reached Rupert, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 187 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $51K to the Town of Rupert for repairs. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 4 paid, $214K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rupert.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rupert’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.