Balch Springs’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Balch Springs gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #258 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hail (26%). Flood insurance has paid 110 claims here since 1981.
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 Balch Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Balch Springs 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 Balch Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Balch Springs, and Balch Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #258 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Balch Springs’ residents live in 10 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, Balch Springs has less expected damage per building than 60% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Balch Springs: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Balch Springs flood? Yes: 110 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Balch Springs, from FEMA’s records: 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Dallas Flash Floods14 claims · $1.1M
- The March storm3 claims · $96K
- Hurricane Alicia1 claim · $138
Balch Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Balch Springs
Disasters that paid out in Balch Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Balch Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding695 households applied for aid$497K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms433 households applied for aid$296K aid approved$36K to the City of Balch Springs for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Dallas County has had 22 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 Balch Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Balch Springs archive →Balch Springs and its neighbors
Balch Springs has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. 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 Balch Springs 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 Balch Springs
Is Balch Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Balch Springs has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #258 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Balch Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 110 claims in Balch Springs since 1981, $3.8M in all, or 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 22 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Dallas Flash Floods (14).
Is Balch Springs 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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Balch Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Balch Springs’ 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 Balch Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Balch Springs, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 695 households applied for aid, $497K approved. By flood claims, Dallas Flash Floods: 14 paid, $1.1M.
Is Balch Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Balch Springs’ rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Balch Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Balch Springs’ 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.