Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Burnet than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnet gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #241 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1980.
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 Burnet 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
Strong wind
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 Burnet’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burnet, and Burnet’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #241 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burnet’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, Burnet has less expected damage per building than 63% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Burnet: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burnet flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burnet, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding7 claims · $756K
Burnet isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burnet County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burnet
Disasters that paid out in Burnet itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burnet), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding441 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$4.0M to the City of Burnet for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms85 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$6K to the City of Burnet for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding59 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$19K to the City of Burnet for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Burnet County has had 17 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burnet County, 1999–2018.
Old photos of Burnet after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burnet archive →Get ready for what Burnet 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Burnet
Is Burnet at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnet has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #241 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burnet flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Burnet since 1980, $828K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July Central TX Flooding (7).
Is Burnet 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 Burnet County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burnet?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burnet’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 Burnet?
By FEMA money that reached Burnet, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 441 households applied for aid, $3.3M approved, and $4.0M to the City of Burnet for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July Central TX Flooding: 7 paid, $756K.
Is Burnet at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Burnet’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burnet.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burnet’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.