William and Blanche Brooks House · Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Forney’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forney gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #230 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2009.
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 Forney’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Forney 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
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 Forney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forney, and Forney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #230 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forney’s 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, Forney has less expected damage per building than 64% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Forney: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forney flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forney, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $30K
Forney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kaufman County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forney
Disasters that paid out in Forney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,114 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms815 households applied for aid$442K aid approved
Kaufman County has had 14 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 Forney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forney archive →Get ready for what Forney 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.
- 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 Forney
Is Forney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forney has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #230 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forney flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Forney since 2009, $144K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (1).
Is Forney 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 Kaufman County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forney’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 Forney?
By FEMA money that reached Forney, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 2,114 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 1 paid, $30K.
Is Forney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Forney’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forney’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.