More hazard damage per building is expected in Taylor than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taylor gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Taylor 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Taylor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Taylor, and Taylor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 28% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Taylor’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $977K a year in losses across Taylor: $644K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Taylor flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Taylor, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Taylor isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Taylor
Disasters that paid out in Taylor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Taylor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line8 households applied for aid$20K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Houston County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Taylor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Taylor archive →Taylor and its neighbors
Taylor is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Taylor 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Taylor
Is Taylor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taylor has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Taylor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Taylor since 2009, $3K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Taylor 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 Houston County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Taylor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Taylor’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 Taylor?
By FEMA money that reached Taylor, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line (2009): 8 households applied for aid, $20K approved.
Is Taylor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Taylor’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Taylor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Taylor’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.