Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 3.0For wildfire, Boyd’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boyd gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #249 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then wildfire (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1990.
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 Boyd 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
Hail
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 Boyd’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boyd, and Boyd’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #249 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boyd’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, Boyd has less expected damage per building than 61% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $390K a year in losses across Boyd: $271K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boyd flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boyd, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Boyd isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wise County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boyd
Disasters that paid out in Boyd itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Boyd), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms62 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding17 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Wise County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. 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 Wise County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Boyd after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boyd archive →Get ready for what Boyd 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.
- 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.
- 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 Boyd
Is Boyd at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boyd has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #249 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and wildfire (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boyd flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Boyd since 1990, $29K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Boyd 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 Wise County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boyd?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boyd’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 Boyd?
By FEMA money that reached Boyd, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 62 households applied for aid, $25K approved.
Is Boyd at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Boyd’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boyd.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boyd’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.