Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Canyon than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canyon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #461 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hail (32%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 55 claims here since 1978.
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 Canyon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Canyon 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 Canyon’s grade
Hail is 32% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canyon, and Canyon’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #461 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canyon’s residents live in 6 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, Canyon has more expected damage per building than 72% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Canyon: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canyon flood? Sometimes: 55 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canyon, from FEMA’s records: 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Canyon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Randall County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Canyon
Disasters that paid out in Canyon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canyon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$72K to the City of Canyon for repairs
Randall County has had 10 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Randall County, 2011–2026.
Old photos of Canyon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canyon archive →Get ready for what Canyon 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 Canyon
Is Canyon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canyon has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #461 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hail (32%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canyon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 55 claims in Canyon since 1978, $470K in all, or 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Canyon 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 Randall County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canyon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canyon’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 Canyon?
By FEMA money that reached Canyon, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $72K to the City of Canyon for repairs.
Is Canyon at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (32%), and Canyon’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canyon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canyon’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.