Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Eastland than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eastland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #430 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 31 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 stands out about Eastland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Eastland 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Wildfire
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 Eastland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eastland, and Eastland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #430 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eastland’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, Eastland has more expected damage per building than 67% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Eastland: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eastland flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eastland, from FEMA’s records: 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms12 claims · $445K
- The Early summer severe storms7 claims · $326K
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $9K
Eastland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Eastland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eastland
Disasters that paid out in Eastland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eastland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms75 households applied for aid$36K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$110K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding11 households applied for aid$15K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Wildfires$6K to the City of Eastland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding203 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$81K to the City of Eastland for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
Eastland County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Eastland County, 2000–2022.
Old photos of Eastland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eastland archive →Get ready for what Eastland 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Eastland
Is Eastland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eastland has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #430 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eastland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Eastland since 1986, $1,000K in all, or 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (12).
Is Eastland 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 Eastland County, 80% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eastland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eastland’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 Eastland?
By FEMA money that reached Eastland, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 203 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $81K to the City of Eastland for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 12 paid, $445K.
Is Eastland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Eastland’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eastland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eastland’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.