Dealey Plaza Historic District · Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Dallas’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dallas gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #386 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 940 claims here since 1979.
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 Dallas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dallas 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 Dallas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dallas, and Dallas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #386 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dallas’ residents live in 369 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, Dallas has more expected damage per building than 60% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Dallas has lower expected damage per building than 51% (#196 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $492M, is the 11th largest of those 400.
Does Dallas flood? Yes: 940 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dallas, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms63 claims · $3.7M
- The Dallas Flash Floods33 claims · $2.8M
- The March storm12 claims · $142K
Dallas is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dallas
Disasters that paid out in Dallas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dallas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding15,069 households applied for aid$12.9M aid approved$7.4M to the City of Dallas for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms23,923 households applied for aid$16.7M aid approved$464K to the City of Dallas for repairs43 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey9 households applied for aid$1K aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding353 households applied for aid$524K aid approved$745K to the City of Dallas for repairs74 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$6.4M to the City of Dallas for repairs
Its 4 counties have had 25 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 its 4 counties, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Dallas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dallas archive →Dallas and its neighbors
Dallas is 7th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwall | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Cedar Hill | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Irving | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Carrollton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Mesquite | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Heath | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Rowlett | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Grand Prairie | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Garland | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 384 |
| 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 Dallas 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.
- Dallas residents get 35% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Dallas
Is Dallas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dallas has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #386 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dallas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 940 claims in Dallas since 1979, $29.7M in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 97 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (63).
Is Dallas 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 Dallas?
Dallas is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3), which takes 35% 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 Dallas?
By FEMA money that reached Dallas, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 15,069 households applied for aid, $12.9M approved, and $7.4M to the City of Dallas for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 63 paid, $3.7M.
Is Dallas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Dallas’ rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dallas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dallas’ 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.