Photo: Jakec · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Dallas, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dallas gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #20 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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
Hurricanes
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 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dallas, and Dallas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #20 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dallas’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dallas has less expected damage per building than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $439K a year in losses across Dallas: $285K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dallas flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dallas, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $29K
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: Luzerne County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dallas
Disasters that paid out in Dallas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Dallas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee59 households applied for aid$99K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene57 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides182 households applied for aid$193K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$937 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan26 households applied for aid$53K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
Luzerne County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 →Dallas and its neighbors
Dallas has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Dallas Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 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.
- 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.
- 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 among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #20 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dallas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Dallas since 1996, $527K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
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 Luzerne County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% 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 Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 182 households applied for aid, $193K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Dallas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Dallas’ rate for it is lower than 92% 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.