Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bogata than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from ice storms
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bogata gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is ice storms (86%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Bogata faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Ice storms
River and rain flooding
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 Bogata’s grade
Ice storms are 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bogata, and Bogata’s rate of ice storms damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bogata’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Bogata: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bogata flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bogata. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bogata isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Red River County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bogata
Disasters that paid out in Bogata itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bogata), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$22K to the City of Bogata for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$26K to the City of Bogata for repairs
Red River County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bogata after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bogata archive →Get ready for what Bogata faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- 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 Bogata
Is Bogata at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bogata has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is ice storms (86%) and river and rain flooding (8%). 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.
Is Bogata 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 Red River County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bogata?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bogata’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 Bogata?
By FEMA money that reached Bogata, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 7 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $22K to the City of Bogata for repairs.
Is Bogata at risk from ice storms?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Bogata’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bogata.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bogata’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.