FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Forest Hill than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Hill gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #492 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Forest Hill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Forest Hill 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 Forest Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest Hill, and Forest Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #492 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forest Hill’s residents live in 3 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, Forest Hill has more expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Forest Hill: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest Hill flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest Hill, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Forest Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest Hill
Disasters that paid out in Forest Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forest Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms226 households applied for aid$210K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$23K to the City of Forest Hill for repairs
Tarrant County has had 21 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tarrant County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Forest Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest Hill archive →Forest Hill and its neighbors
Forest Hill is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 482 |
| Kennedale | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Forest Hill | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
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 Forest Hill 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 Forest Hill
Is Forest Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest Hill has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #492 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forest Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Forest Hill since 1979, $539K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Forest Hill 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 Tarrant County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forest Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest Hill’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 Forest Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Forest Hill, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 226 households applied for aid, $210K approved.
Is Forest Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Forest Hill’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest Hill’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.