Photo: Atownbman · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Abilene’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abilene gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #448 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hail (44%). Flood insurance has paid 686 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Abilene’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Abilene 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
Hail
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 Abilene’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Abilene, and Abilene’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 44%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #448 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Abilene’s residents live in 39 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Abilene has more expected damage per building than 70% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Abilene has higher expected damage per building than 59% (#235 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $44.0M, is the 272th largest of those 400.
Does Abilene flood? Yes: 686 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Abilene, from FEMA’s records: 12.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain320 claims · $10.5M
- Tropical Storm Erin14 claims · $252K
- The Thunderstorms6 claims · $58K
Abilene isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Taylor County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Abilene
Disasters that paid out in Abilene itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Abilene), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms876 households applied for aid$474K aid approved$290K to the City of Abilene for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin44 households applied for aid$42K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $252K
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$176K to the City of Abilene for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$254K to the City of Abilene for repairs321 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 21 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2009–2022.
Old photos of Abilene after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Abilene archive →Abilene and its neighbors
Abilene is 3rd of the 3 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 Abilene 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Abilene
Is Abilene at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abilene has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #448 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hail (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Abilene flood?
Flood insurance has paid 686 claims in Abilene since 1978, $14.5M in all, or 12.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 68 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (320).
Is Abilene 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 Taylor County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Abilene?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Abilene’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 Abilene?
By FEMA money that reached Abilene, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 876 households applied for aid, $474K approved, and $290K to the City of Abilene for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 320 paid, $10.5M.
Is Abilene at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Abilene’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Abilene.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Abilene’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.