Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Ballinger’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ballinger gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #512 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then strong wind (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2014.
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 Ballinger 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
Strong wind
Hail
Cold waves
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 Ballinger’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ballinger, and Ballinger’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #512 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ballinger’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ballinger has more expected damage per building than 80% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Ballinger: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ballinger flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ballinger, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ballinger isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Runnels County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ballinger
Disasters that paid out in Ballinger itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ballinger), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$129 aid approved$21K to the City of Ballinger for repairs
Runnels County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ballinger after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ballinger archive →Get ready for what Ballinger 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Let faucets drip so pipes don’t freeze.
- Know where your water shutoff is.
- Never heat the house with the oven or a grill.
- 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 Ballinger
Is Ballinger at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ballinger has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #512 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and strong wind (13%). 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 Ballinger flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Ballinger since 2014, $15K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ballinger 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 Runnels County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ballinger?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ballinger’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 Ballinger?
By FEMA money that reached Ballinger, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 2 households applied for aid, $129 approved, and $21K to the City of Ballinger for repairs.
Is Ballinger at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Ballinger’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ballinger.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ballinger’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.