FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bellmead than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellmead gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #9 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1994.
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 Bellmead 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
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 Bellmead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellmead, and Bellmead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #9 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellmead’s residents live in 3 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, Bellmead has less expected damage per building than 99% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Bellmead: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellmead flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellmead, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $3K
- The Fall 2018 Texas Flooding1 claim · $2K
Bellmead isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLennan County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bellmead
Disasters that paid out in Bellmead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bellmead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms42 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$17K to the City of Bellmead for repairs
McLennan County has had 17 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 Bellmead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellmead archive →Bellmead and its neighbors
Bellmead has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellmead | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lacy-Lakeview | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Waco | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
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 Bellmead 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.
- 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Bellmead
Is Bellmead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellmead has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #9 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellmead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Bellmead since 1994, $63K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (1).
Is Bellmead 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 McLennan County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellmead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellmead’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 Bellmead?
By FEMA money that reached Bellmead, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 42 households applied for aid, $23K approved, and $17K to the City of Bellmead for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Bellmead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Bellmead’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellmead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellmead’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.