FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Coppell than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coppell gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #574 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1989.
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 Coppell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Coppell 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 Coppell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coppell, and Coppell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #574 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coppell’s residents live in 10 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, Coppell has more expected damage per building than 89% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $29.3M a year in losses across Coppell: $22.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coppell flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coppell, 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.
- The Early summer storms6 claims · $1.3M
Coppell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coppell
Disasters that paid out in Coppell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coppell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding69 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms513 households applied for aid$157K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding102 households applied for aid$245K aid approved$93K to the City of Coppell for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$152K to the City of Coppell 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 Coppell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coppell archive →Coppell and its neighbors
Coppell is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grapevine | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Lewisville | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Irving | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Carrollton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Coppell | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Coppell 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.
- Coppell residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Coppell
Is Coppell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coppell has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #574 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hail (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coppell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Coppell since 1989, $1.6M in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (6).
Is Coppell 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 Coppell?
Coppell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Coppell?
By FEMA money that reached Coppell, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 102 households applied for aid, $245K approved, and $93K to the City of Coppell for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 6 paid, $1.3M.
Is Coppell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Coppell’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coppell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coppell’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.