Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Center than in 86% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #67 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1992.
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 Center’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Center 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Center’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Center, and Center’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #67 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Center’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, Center has less expected damage per building than 90% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Center: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Center flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Center, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Center isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shelby County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Center
Disasters that paid out in Center itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Center), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl452 households applied for aid$404K aid approved$14K to the City of Center for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$116K to the City of Center for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms375 households applied for aid$213K aid approved$36K to the City of Center for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding34 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike93 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$38K to the City of Center for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$6K to the City of Center for repairs
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,135 households applied for aid$467K aid approved$134K to the City of Center for repairs
Shelby County has had 20 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 Center after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Center archive →Get ready for what Center 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Center
Is Center at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Center has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #67 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Center flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Center since 1992, $34K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Center 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 Shelby County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Center?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Center’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 Center?
By FEMA money that reached Center, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,135 households applied for aid, $467K approved, and $134K to the City of Center for repairs.
Is Center at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Center’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Center.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Center’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.