Photo: CityofAllen · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Allen faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allen gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #450 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (32%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1998.
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 Allen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Allen 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
Tornadoes
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 Allen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Allen, and Allen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 32%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #450 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Allen’s residents live in 19 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, Allen has more expected damage per building than 70% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Allen has higher expected damage per building than 60% (#239 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $72.0M, is the 164th largest of those 400.
Does Allen flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Allen, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Allen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Collin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Allen
Disasters that paid out in Allen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Allen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding162 households applied for aid$84K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms712 households applied for aid$195K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$31K to the City of Allen for repairs
Collin County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Allen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Allen archive →Allen and its neighbors
Allen is 4th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKinney | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Plano | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Fairview | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Allen | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lucas | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Parker | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Allen 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.
- 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.
- 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 Allen
Is Allen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allen has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #450 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Allen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Allen since 1998, $22K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Allen 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 Collin County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Allen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Allen’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 Allen?
By FEMA money that reached Allen, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 712 households applied for aid, $195K approved.
Is Allen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Allen’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Allen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Allen’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.