Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Bowie than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bowie gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #137 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1979.
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 Bowie’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bowie 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
Strong wind
Cold waves
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 Bowie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bowie, and Bowie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #137 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bowie’s residents live in 4 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, Bowie has less expected damage per building than 79% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Bowie: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bowie flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bowie, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Spring Storm1 claim · $7K
Bowie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montague County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bowie
Disasters that paid out in Bowie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bowie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms88 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$39K to the City of Bowie for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding89 households applied for aid$141K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat5 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$43K to the City of Bowie for repairs
Montague County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Montague County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Bowie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bowie archive →Get ready for what Bowie 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Let faucets drip so pipes don’t freeze.
- Know where your water shutoff is.
- Never heat the house with the oven or a grill.
- 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 Bowie
Is Bowie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bowie has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #137 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bowie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Bowie since 1979, $277K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Spring Storm (1).
Is Bowie 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 Montague County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bowie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bowie’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 Bowie?
By FEMA money that reached Bowie, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 89 households applied for aid, $141K approved. By flood claims, Spring Storm: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Bowie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Bowie’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bowie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bowie’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.