Old Alton Bridge · Photo: Ron from Denton, Texas · CC BY 2.0For hail, Copper Canyon’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Copper Canyon gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hail (20%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Copper Canyon 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 Copper Canyon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Copper Canyon, and Copper Canyon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Copper Canyon’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $837K a year in losses across Copper Canyon: $552K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Copper Canyon flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Copper Canyon, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Copper 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: Denton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Copper Canyon
Disasters that paid out in Copper Canyon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Copper Canyon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$20K to the Town of Copper Canyon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Denton 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Denton County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Copper Canyon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Copper Canyon archive →Copper Canyon and its neighbors
Copper Canyon is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flower Mound | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Copper Canyon | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Double Oak | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Highland Village | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Lantana | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Copper 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.
- 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 Copper Canyon
Is Copper Canyon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Copper Canyon has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hail (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Copper Canyon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Copper Canyon since 1987, $21K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Copper 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 Denton County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Copper Canyon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Copper 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 Copper Canyon?
By FEMA money that reached Copper Canyon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 3 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $20K to the Town of Copper Canyon for repairs.
Is Copper Canyon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Copper Canyon’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Copper Canyon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Copper 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.