Photo: Nicolas Henderson · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Burkburnett’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burkburnett gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #82 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
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 Burkburnett’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burkburnett 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
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.
What’s behind Burkburnett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burkburnett, and Burkburnett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #82 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burkburnett’s residents live in 5 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, Burkburnett has less expected damage per building than 87% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Burkburnett: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burkburnett flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burkburnett, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $1K
- The Spring Storm1 claim · $4K
Burkburnett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wichita County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burkburnett
Disasters that paid out in Burkburnett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burkburnett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms69 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding18 households applied for aid$202 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Wichita County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wichita County, 2009–2021.
Old photos of Burkburnett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burkburnett archive →Get ready for what Burkburnett 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.
- 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 Burkburnett
Is Burkburnett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burkburnett has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #82 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burkburnett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Burkburnett since 2009, $6K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Burkburnett 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 Wichita County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burkburnett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burkburnett’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 Burkburnett?
By FEMA money that reached Burkburnett, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 69 households applied for aid, $31K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Burkburnett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Burkburnett’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burkburnett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burkburnett’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.