Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Carthage faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carthage gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #100 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1987.
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 Carthage’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carthage 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
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 Carthage’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carthage, and Carthage’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #100 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carthage’s residents live in 3 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, Carthage has less expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Carthage: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carthage flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carthage, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Carthage isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Panola County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carthage
Disasters that paid out in Carthage itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carthage), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding269 households applied for aid$713K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms239 households applied for aid$154K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike$272K to the City of Carthage for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$80K to the City of Carthage for repairs
Panola County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Carthage after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carthage archive →Get ready for what Carthage 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Carthage
Is Carthage at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carthage has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #100 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carthage flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Carthage since 1987, $35K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Carthage 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 Panola County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Carthage?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carthage’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 Carthage?
By FEMA money that reached Carthage, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 269 households applied for aid, $713K approved.
Is Carthage at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Carthage’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carthage.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carthage’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.