For hail, Duncanville’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duncanville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #432 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hail (20%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 Duncanville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Duncanville 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 Duncanville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Duncanville, and Duncanville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #432 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Duncanville’s residents live in 12 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, Duncanville has more expected damage per building than 67% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.6M a year in losses across Duncanville: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Duncanville flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Duncanville, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Dallas Flash Floods3 claims · $258K
- The March storm1 claim · $20K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $102K
Duncanville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Duncanville
Disasters that paid out in Duncanville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Duncanville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding351 households applied for aid$223K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms869 households applied for aid$586K aid approved$45K to the City of Duncanville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding26 households applied for aid$39K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$743K to the City of Duncanville for repairs
Dallas County has had 22 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 Duncanville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Duncanville archive →Duncanville and its neighbors
Duncanville is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Hill | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Duncanville | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| DeSoto | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
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 Duncanville 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.
- Duncanville 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 Duncanville
Is Duncanville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duncanville has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #432 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hail (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Duncanville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Duncanville since 1979, $898K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Dallas Flash Floods (3).
Is Duncanville 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 Duncanville?
Duncanville 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 Duncanville?
By FEMA money that reached Duncanville, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $743K to the City of Duncanville for repairs. By flood claims, Dallas Flash Floods: 3 paid, $258K.
Is Duncanville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Duncanville’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Duncanville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Duncanville’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.