Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Bonham’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonham gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #315 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Bonham 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
Ice storms
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 Bonham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bonham, and Bonham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #315 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bonham’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, Bonham has less expected damage per building than 51% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Bonham: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bonham flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bonham, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bonham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fannin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bonham
Disasters that paid out in Bonham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bonham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms92 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding57 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$213K to the City of Bonham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$7K to the City of Bonham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$88K to the City of Bonham for repairs
Fannin County has had 15 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 Bonham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bonham archive →Get ready for what Bonham 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.
- 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.
- 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 Bonham
Is Bonham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonham has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #315 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and hail (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bonham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Bonham since 1981, $166K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bonham 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 Fannin County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bonham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bonham’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 Bonham?
By FEMA money that reached Bonham, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 57 households applied for aid, $44K approved, and $213K to the City of Bonham for repairs.
Is Bonham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Bonham’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bonham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bonham’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.