Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Ennis faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ennis gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #39 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1989.
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 Ennis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ennis 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 Ennis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ennis, and Ennis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 14% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A #39 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ennis’ residents live in 7 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, Ennis has less expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Ennis: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ennis flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ennis, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison6 claims · $258K
Ennis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ellis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ennis
Disasters that paid out in Ennis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ennis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding278 households applied for aid$773K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms291 households applied for aid$225K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding14 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$11K to the City of Ennis for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$52K to the City of Ennis for repairs
Ellis County has had 15 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ellis County, 1999–2011.
Old photos of Ennis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ennis archive →Ennis and its neighbors
Ennis has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Ennis 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ennis
Is Ennis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ennis has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #39 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ennis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Ennis since 1989, $312K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (6).
Is Ennis 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 Ellis County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ennis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ennis’ 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 Ennis?
By FEMA money that reached Ennis, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 278 households applied for aid, $773K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 6 paid, $258K.
Is Ennis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Ennis’ rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ennis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ennis’ 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.