Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0Woodward’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodward gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (24%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Woodward 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 Woodward’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodward, and Woodward’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodward’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $925K a year in losses across Woodward: $395K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodward flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Woodward. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Woodward isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodward
Disasters that paid out in Woodward itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woodward), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms23 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$32K to the City of Woodward for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$32K to the City of Woodward for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
Dallas County has had 17 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 Woodward after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodward archive →Get ready for what Woodward 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 Woodward
Is Woodward at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodward has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Woodward 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 Dallas County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woodward?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodward’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 Woodward?
By FEMA money that reached Woodward, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 34 households applied for aid, $61K approved.
Is Woodward at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Woodward’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodward.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodward’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.