Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Baird’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baird gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hail (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Baird 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
Wildfire
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 Baird’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baird, and Baird’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 27%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Baird’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $660K a year in losses across Baird: $448K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Baird flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baird, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Baird isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Callahan County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Baird
Disasters that paid out in Baird itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Baird), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$86K to the City of Baird for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$43K to the City of Baird for repairs
Callahan County has had 16 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Callahan County, 2005–2009.
Old photos of Baird after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baird archive →Get ready for what Baird 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Baird
Is Baird at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baird has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hail (27%). 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 Baird flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Baird since 2021, $930 in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Baird 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 Callahan County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Baird?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Baird’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 Baird?
By FEMA money that reached Baird, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $86K to the City of Baird for repairs.
Is Baird at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Baird’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baird.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baird’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.