Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Arlington’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #366 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hail (25%). Flood insurance has paid 750 claims here since 1979.
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 Arlington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arlington 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 Arlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arlington, and Arlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 25%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #366 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arlington’s residents live in 89 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, Arlington has more expected damage per building than 57% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Arlington has lower expected damage per building than 54% (#184 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $112M, is the 99th largest of those 400.
Does Arlington flood? Yes: 750 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arlington, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms21 claims · $595K
- The Dallas Flash Floods9 claims · $397K
- The Late winter severe storms3 claims · $24K
Arlington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arlington
Disasters that paid out in Arlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$600 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms7,216 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$58K to the City of Arlington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3 households applied for aid$500 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$546K to the City of Arlington for repairs29 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$6K aid approved19 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat11 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Rita$3K to the City of Arlington for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$5K to the City of Arlington for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$3.7M to the City of Arlington for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$354K to the City of Arlington for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Tarrant County has had 21 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tarrant County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Arlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arlington archive →Arlington and its neighbors
Arlington is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 482 |
| Mansfield | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Arlington | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 750 |
| Kennedale | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Grand Prairie | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
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 Arlington 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.
- Arlington residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Arlington
Is Arlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #366 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hail (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 750 claims in Arlington since 1979, $22.0M in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 68 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (21).
Is Arlington 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 Tarrant County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Arlington?
Arlington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Arlington?
By FEMA money that reached Arlington, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $3.7M to the City of Arlington for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 21 paid, $595K.
Is Arlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Arlington’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arlington’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.