Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Diboll than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Diboll gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #172 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1986.
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 Diboll 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
Hurricanes
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 Diboll’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Diboll, and Diboll’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #172 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Diboll’s residents live in 2 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, Diboll has less expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Diboll: $602K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Diboll flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Diboll, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey2 claims · $37K
- Hurricane Rita1 claim · $36K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $3K
Diboll isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Angelina County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Diboll
Disasters that paid out in Diboll itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Diboll), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms96 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike408 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$511K to the City of Diboll for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$6K to the City of Diboll for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,019 households applied for aid$501K aid approved$171K to the City of Diboll for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $36K
Angelina County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Diboll after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Diboll archive →Get ready for what Diboll 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Diboll
Is Diboll at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Diboll has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #172 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Diboll flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Diboll since 1986, $102K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (2).
Is Diboll 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 Angelina County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Diboll?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Diboll’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 Diboll?
By FEMA money that reached Diboll, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,019 households applied for aid, $501K approved, and $171K to the City of Diboll for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 2 paid, $37K.
Is Diboll at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Diboll’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Diboll.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Diboll’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.