Photo: GreenvilleAvenue75206 · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, Farmers Branch’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmers Branch gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #407 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hail (29%). Flood insurance has paid 83 claims here since 1978.
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 Farmers Branch’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Farmers Branch 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 Farmers Branch’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmers Branch, and Farmers Branch’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 29%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #407 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farmers Branch’s residents live in 13 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, Farmers Branch has more expected damage per building than 63% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.9M a year in losses across Farmers Branch: $15.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmers Branch flood? Sometimes: 83 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farmers Branch, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms10 claims · $371K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS2 claims · $259K
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $6K
Farmers Branch isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Farmers Branch
Disasters that paid out in Farmers Branch itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Farmers Branch), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding125 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms168 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$22K to the City of Farmers Branch for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding3 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$56K to the City of Farmers Branch for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
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 Farmers Branch after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmers Branch archive →Farmers Branch and its neighbors
Farmers Branch is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addison | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Carrollton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Farmers Branch | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
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 Farmers Branch 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 Farmers Branch
Is Farmers Branch at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmers Branch has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #407 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hail (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farmers Branch flood?
Flood insurance has paid 83 claims in Farmers Branch since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (10).
Is Farmers Branch 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 Farmers Branch?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farmers Branch’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 Farmers Branch?
By FEMA money that reached Farmers Branch, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 168 households applied for aid, $61K approved, and $22K to the City of Farmers Branch for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 10 paid, $371K.
Is Farmers Branch at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Farmers Branch’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmers Branch.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmers Branch’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.