Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Cedar Hill’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Hill gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #286 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (25%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1984.
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 Cedar Hill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cedar Hill 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Cedar Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedar Hill, and Cedar Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 25%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #286 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cedar Hill’s residents live in 18 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, Cedar Hill has less expected damage per building than 56% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.0M a year in losses across Cedar Hill: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cedar Hill flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cedar Hill, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Dallas Flash Floods3 claims · $247K
- The Early summer storms3 claims · $55K
- The March storm1 claim · $41K
Cedar Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedar Hill
Disasters that paid out in Cedar Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cedar Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding660 households applied for aid$338K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,515 households applied for aid$917K aid approved$173K to the City of Cedar Hill for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding25 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$33K to the City of Cedar Hill for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$754K to the City of Cedar Hill for repairs
Dallas County has had 22 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 Cedar Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedar Hill archive →Cedar Hill and its neighbors
Cedar Hill is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Ovilla | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Cedar Hill | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Grand Prairie | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Duncanville | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| DeSoto | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
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 Cedar Hill 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cedar Hill
Is Cedar Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Hill has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #286 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cedar Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Cedar Hill since 1984, $854K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Dallas Flash Floods (3).
Is Cedar Hill 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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cedar Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cedar Hill’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 Cedar Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Cedar Hill, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 1,515 households applied for aid, $917K approved, and $173K to the City of Cedar Hill for repairs. By flood claims, Dallas Flash Floods: 3 paid, $247K.
Is Cedar Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Cedar Hill’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedar Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedar Hill’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.