Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Billy Hathorn assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0Burleson’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burleson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #265 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1985.
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 Burleson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burleson 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
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 Burleson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burleson, and Burleson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #265 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burleson’s residents live in 19 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, Burleson has less expected damage per building than 59% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.1M a year in losses across Burleson: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burleson flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burleson, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $168K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $4K
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $33K
Burleson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burleson
Disasters that paid out in Burleson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burleson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms458 households applied for aid$199K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding25 households applied for aid$33K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita$3K to the City of Burleson for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$1K to the City of Burleson for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$8K to the City of Burleson for repairs
Its 2 counties have 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2000–2006.
Old photos of Burleson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burleson archive →Burleson and its neighbors
Burleson is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Crowley | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Burleson | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Fort Worth | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 482 |
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 Burleson 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.
- 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 Burleson
Is Burleson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burleson has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #265 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burleson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Burleson since 1985, $691K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Burleson 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 Johnson County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burleson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burleson’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 Burleson?
By FEMA money that reached Burleson, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 458 households applied for aid, $199K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $168K.
Is Burleson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Burleson’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burleson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burleson’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.