Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Fairfield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #67 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Fairfield 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
Hurricanes
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 Fairfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairfield, and Fairfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #67 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairfield’s residents live in 4 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, Fairfield has less expected damage per building than 90% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Fairfield: $707K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairfield flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fairfield. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fairfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Freestone County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairfield
Disasters that paid out in Fairfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms134 households applied for aid$112K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$246K to the City of Fairfield for repairs
Freestone County has had 14 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.
Old photos of Fairfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairfield archive →Get ready for what Fairfield 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.
- 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.
- 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 Fairfield
Is Fairfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #67 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Fairfield 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 Freestone County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fairfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairfield’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 Fairfield?
By FEMA money that reached Fairfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $246K to the City of Fairfield for repairs.
Is Fairfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Fairfield’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairfield’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.