Photo: Teresa Fazio · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Buffalo Gap
Buffalo Gap isn’t graded for hazard risk: Buffalo Gap has 534 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1994.
What Buffalo Gap 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
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.
Does Buffalo Gap flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buffalo Gap, from FEMA’s records.
- The Torrential rain13 claims · $289K
Buffalo Gap isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Taylor County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buffalo Gap
Disasters that paid out in Buffalo Gap itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Buffalo Gap), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms39 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Buffalo Gap for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
Taylor County has had 14 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Taylor County, 2009–2022.
Old photos of Buffalo Gap after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buffalo Gap archive →Get ready for what Buffalo Gap 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.
- 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 Buffalo Gap
Does Buffalo Gap flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Buffalo Gap since 1994, $333K in all. The most claims came from Torrential rain (13).
Is Buffalo Gap 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 Taylor County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buffalo Gap?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buffalo Gap’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 Buffalo Gap?
By FEMA money that reached Buffalo Gap, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 39 households applied for aid, $49K approved. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 13 paid, $289K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buffalo Gap.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buffalo Gap’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.