Photo: Who What Where Nguyen Why a/k/a Anonymous Cow · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Amarillo than in 69% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amarillo gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #463 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hail (48%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 409 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 Amarillo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Amarillo faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
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 Amarillo’s grade
Hail is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Amarillo, and Amarillo’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #463 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Amarillo’s residents live in 59 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, Amarillo has more expected damage per building than 72% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Amarillo has higher expected damage per building than 61% (#246 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $90.5M, is the 131th largest of those 400.
Does Amarillo flood? Yes: 409 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Amarillo, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gilbert115 claims · $2.0M
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $7K
- The Fall severe storms1 claim · $5K
Amarillo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Potter County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Amarillo
Disasters that paid out in Amarillo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Amarillo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Wildfires$9K to the City of Amarillo for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat12 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita$137K to the City of Amarillo for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$638K to the City of Amarillo for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$369K to the City of Amarillo for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 11 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.
Also 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2008–2026.
Old photos of Amarillo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Amarillo archive →Get ready for what Amarillo faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Amarillo
Is Amarillo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amarillo has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #463 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hail (48%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Amarillo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 409 claims in Amarillo since 1978, $7.2M in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gilbert (115).
Is Amarillo 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 Potter County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Amarillo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Amarillo’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 Amarillo?
By FEMA money that reached Amarillo, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $638K to the City of Amarillo for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gilbert: 115 paid, $2.0M.
Is Amarillo at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Amarillo’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Amarillo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Amarillo’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.