Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cactus than in 65% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cactus gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #210 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hail (35%), then river and rain flooding (28%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Cactus’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cactus faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Cactus’ grade
Hail is 35% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cactus, and Cactus’ rate of hail damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #210 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cactus’ residents live in 2 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, Cactus has less expected damage per building than 67% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Cactus: $428K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cactus flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cactus. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cactus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Moore County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cactus
Disasters that paid out in Cactus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cactus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes232 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
Moore County has had 9 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Moore County, 2024–2024.
Old photos of Cactus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cactus archive →Get ready for what Cactus faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cactus
Is Cactus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cactus has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #210 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hail (35%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cactus 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 Moore County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cactus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cactus’ 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 Cactus?
By FEMA money that reached Cactus, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2007): 232 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved.
Is Cactus at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (35%), and Cactus’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cactus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cactus’ 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.