Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Bedford’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #293 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hail (29%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 Bedford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bedford 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 Bedford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedford, and Bedford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 29%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #293 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedford’s residents live in 15 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, Bedford has less expected damage per building than 54% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.6M a year in losses across Bedford: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedford flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedford, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $19K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $15K
Bedford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bedford
Disasters that paid out in Bedford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bedford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms473 households applied for aid$160K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$22K to the City of Bedford for repairs2 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 Bedford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedford archive →Bedford and its neighbors
Bedford has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Hurst | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Colleyville | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Euless | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 92 |
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 Bedford 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 Bedford
Is Bedford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #293 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hail (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Bedford since 1981, $212K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (2).
Is Bedford 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 Bedford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bedford’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 Bedford?
By FEMA money that reached Bedford, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 473 households applied for aid, $160K approved. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Bedford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Bedford’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedford’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.