A.K. Wilson Building · Photo: Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dallas than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dallas gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #67 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1996.
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 Dallas 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
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 Dallas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dallas, and Dallas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 46% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #67 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dallas’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dallas has less expected damage per building than 53% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Dallas: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dallas flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dallas, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm7 claims · $101K
Dallas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dallas
Disasters that paid out in Dallas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dallas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$226K to the City of Dallas for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$41K to the City of Dallas for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$18K to the City of Dallas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$24K to the City of Dallas for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides69 households applied for aid$158K aid approved$50K to the City of Dallas for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storms$59K to the City of Dallas for repairs
Polk County has had 12 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 Dallas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dallas archive →Get ready for what Dallas 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.
- 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 Dallas
Is Dallas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dallas has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #67 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dallas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Dallas since 1996, $105K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (7).
Is Dallas 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 Polk County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dallas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dallas’ 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 Dallas?
By FEMA money that reached Dallas, Severe Winter Storm (2021): $226K to the City of Dallas for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 7 paid, $101K.
Is Dallas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Dallas’ rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dallas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dallas’ 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.