For hail, Briar’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Briar gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #339 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 56 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 Briar 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
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 Briar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Briar, and Briar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #339 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Briar’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, Briar has more expected damage per building than 53% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Briar: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Briar flood? Sometimes: 56 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Briar, from FEMA’s records: 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill3 claims · $48K
Briar isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.The storms Briar remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Tarrant County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Briar itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199024 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Tarrant County
- 200412 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19895 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Tarrant County
Tarrant County has had 21 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 Tarrant County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Briar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Briar archive →Briar and its neighbors
Briar is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Azle | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Briar | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Pelican Bay | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pecan Acres | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Briar 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.
- 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.
- 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 Briar
Is Briar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Briar has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #339 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hail (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Briar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 56 claims in Briar since 1981, $1.1M in all, or 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (3).
Is Briar 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 Tarrant County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Briar?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Briar’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 Briar?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 3 paid, $48K.
Is Briar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Briar’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Briar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Briar’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.