Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, De Kalb’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Kalb gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then hail (26%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 De Kalb 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
Ice storms
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 De Kalb’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in De Kalb, and De Kalb’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
De Kalb’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $594K a year in losses across De Kalb: $353K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does De Kalb flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in De Kalb. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
De Kalb isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bowie County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to De Kalb
Disasters that paid out in De Kalb itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of De Kalb), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl74 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms53 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding10 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$46K to the City of De Kalb for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$99K to the City of De Kalb for repairs
- 1999Tx, Tornado 5/4/99$560K to the City of De Kalb for repairs
Bowie County has had 19 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 Bowie County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of De Kalb after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the De Kalb archive →Get ready for what De Kalb 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 De Kalb
Is De Kalb at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Kalb has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is De Kalb 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 Bowie County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in De Kalb?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for De Kalb’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 De Kalb?
By FEMA money that reached De Kalb, Tx, Tornado 5/4/99 (1999): $560K to the City of De Kalb for repairs.
Is De Kalb at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and De Kalb’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in De Kalb.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where De Kalb’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.