Photo: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Ennis’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ennis gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (26%). 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 Ennis 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
Earthquakes
Wildfire
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 Ennis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ennis, and Ennis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ennis’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Ennis: $616K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ennis flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ennis. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ennis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ennis
Disasters that paid out in Ennis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ennis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$785 aid approved
Madison County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Madison County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Ennis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ennis archive →Get ready for what Ennis 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Ennis
Is Ennis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ennis has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ennis 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 Madison County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ennis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ennis’ 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 Ennis?
By FEMA money that reached Ennis, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 2 households applied for aid, $785 approved.
Is Ennis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Ennis’ rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ennis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ennis’ 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.