On FEMA’s figures, Booker faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Booker gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then wildfire (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
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 Booker’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Booker 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Booker’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Booker, and Booker’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 22%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Booker’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Booker: $682K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Booker flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Booker, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Booker isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lipscomb County.The storms Booker remembers
None of the 6 disasters declared for Lipscomb County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Booker itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19971 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Lipscomb County has had 6 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.
Old photos of Booker after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Booker archive →Get ready for what Booker 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Booker
Is Booker at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Booker has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and wildfire (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Booker flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Booker since 1997, $63K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Booker 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 Lipscomb County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Booker?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Booker’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Booker at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Booker’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Booker.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Booker’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.