Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Bullard than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bullard gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #24 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Bullard 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
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 Bullard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bullard, and Bullard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
A #24 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bullard’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, Bullard has less expected damage per building than 96% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $548K a year in losses across Bullard: $289K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bullard flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bullard, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $29K
Bullard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Smith County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bullard
Disasters that paid out in Bullard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bullard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding122 households applied for aid$234K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms64 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike29 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Smith County has had 25 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 Smith County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Bullard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bullard archive →Get ready for what Bullard 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.
- 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 Bullard
Is Bullard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bullard has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #24 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bullard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bullard since 2008, $31K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Bullard 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 Smith County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bullard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bullard’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 Bullard?
By FEMA money that reached Bullard, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 122 households applied for aid, $234K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Bullard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Bullard’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bullard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bullard’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.