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Potton-Hayden HousePotton-Hayden House · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0
AHazard risk
Natural hazards in Big Spring · FEMA

Less hazard damage per building is expected in Big Spring than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Spring gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #49 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hail (22%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1986.

River and rain flooding 59%Hail 22%Tornadoes 8%

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

less than 89%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#49 of 642 in Texas
Hazard risk
A#49 of 642
in Texas · lower than 89% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
59% of expected building damage
Flood claims
23
paid since 1986 · $418K
Flooded more than once
2
properties
Disasters paid out here
2
of 11 declared for Howard County

What stands out about Big Spring’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 89% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.Remembers 19867 flood claims were paid for 1986 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Big Spring 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

59%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Hail

22%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 5 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

8%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts

Wildfire

6%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Strong wind Earthquakes Winter storms Hurricanes Ice storms Lightning Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Big Spring’s grade

River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Spring, and Big Spring’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Big Spring sits
Big Spring
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A #49 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Big Spring’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding59%Hail22%Tornadoes8%Everything else11%

The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Big Spring has less expected damage per building than 93% of Texas towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Big Spring: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A firm figure. It combines 8 census tracts by where Big Spring’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Big Spring flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1986

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Big Spring, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1986: 7 claims1987: 1 claim1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 2 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 1 claim2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 2 claims2010: 2 claims2011: 2 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 6 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198619942023
19862026
23
paid claims since 1986
$418K
paid to owners
2
homes flooded more than once
$18K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Big Spring isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Howard County.
Disasters

2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Big Spring

Disasters that paid out in Big Spring itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Big Spring), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2021Severe Winter Storms303 households applied for aid$273K aid approved$79K to the City of Big Spring for repairs
  2. 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$181K to the City of Big Spring for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Big SpringHoward County only

Howard County has had 11 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.

Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Howard County, 2008–2011.

Were you here?

Old photos of Big Spring after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Big Spring archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Big Spring faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Wildfire
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Big Spring

Is Big Spring at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Spring has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #49 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hail (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Big Spring flood?

Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Big Spring since 1986, $418K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.

Is Big Spring 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 Howard County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Big Spring?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Spring’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 Big Spring?

By FEMA money that reached Big Spring, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 303 households applied for aid, $273K approved, and $79K to the City of Big Spring for repairs.

Is Big Spring at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Big Spring’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Spring.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Spring’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.