Photo: Aaron Jacobs on en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 2.5For hail, Denton’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #289 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 107 claims here since 1981.
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 Denton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Denton 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 Denton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Denton, and Denton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #289 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Denton’s residents live in 41 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, Denton has less expected damage per building than 55% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Denton has lower expected damage per building than 65% (#140 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $52.4M, is the 234th largest of those 400.
Does Denton flood? Yes: 107 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Denton, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms5 claims · $140K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $19K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $13K
Denton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Denton County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Denton
Disasters that paid out in Denton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Denton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding390 households applied for aid$298K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,037 households applied for aid$428K aid approved$11K to the City of Denton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding55 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$129K to the City of Denton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes263 households applied for aid$432K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita$5K to the City of Denton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$3K to the City of Denton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$335K to the City of Denton for repairs
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 Denton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Denton archive →Denton and its neighbors
Denton is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krum | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Denton | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 107 |
| Northlake | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Corinth | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Argyle | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Shady Shores | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Denton 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.
- Denton residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Denton
Is Denton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denton has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #289 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Denton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 107 claims in Denton since 1981, $2.6M in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (5).
Is Denton 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 Denton?
Denton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Denton?
By FEMA money that reached Denton, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 1,037 households applied for aid, $428K approved, and $11K to the City of Denton for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 5 paid, $140K.
Is Denton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Denton’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Denton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Denton’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.