Copperas Cove Stagestop and Post Office · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Copperas Cove than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Copperas Cove gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #145 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 Copperas Cove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Copperas Cove 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
Hail
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 Copperas Cove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Copperas Cove, and Copperas Cove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #145 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Copperas Cove’s residents live in 11 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, Copperas Cove has less expected damage per building than 78% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Copperas Cove: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Copperas Cove flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Copperas Cove, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms5 claims · $44K
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding2 claims · $152K
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $26K
Copperas Cove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Coryell County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Copperas Cove
Disasters that paid out in Copperas Cove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Copperas Cove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding163 households applied for aid$222K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms675 households applied for aid$82K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding324 households applied for aid$154K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
Coryell County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Coryell County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Copperas Cove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Copperas Cove archive →Copperas Cove and its neighbors
Copperas Cove has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copperas Cove | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Fort Cavazos | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Copperas Cove 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Copperas Cove residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Copperas Cove
Is Copperas Cove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Copperas Cove has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #145 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Copperas Cove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Copperas Cove since 1989, $516K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (5).
Is Copperas Cove 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 Coryell County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Copperas Cove?
Copperas Cove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Copperas Cove?
By FEMA money that reached Copperas Cove, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 163 households applied for aid, $222K approved. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 5 paid, $44K.
Is Copperas Cove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Copperas Cove’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Copperas Cove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Copperas Cove’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.