Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Fort Worth’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Worth gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #280 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (29%). Flood insurance has paid 482 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 Fort Worth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Worth, and Fort Worth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 29%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #280 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Worth’s residents live in 214 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, Fort Worth has less expected damage per building than 56% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Fort Worth has lower expected damage per building than 66% (#136 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $247M, is the 29th largest of those 400.
Does Fort Worth flood? Yes: 482 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Worth, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Dallas Flash Floods19 claims · $732K
- The Thunderstorms6 claims · $118K
- The Early summer storms3 claims · $26K
Fort Worth is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Worth
Disasters that paid out in Fort Worth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Worth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms17,368 households applied for aid$12.1M aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey7 households applied for aid$500 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1 households applied for aid$498 aid approved22 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding107 households applied for aid$63K aid approved38 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 24 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2005–2006.
Old photos of Fort Worth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Worth archive →Fort Worth and its neighbors
Fort Worth has the lowest expected damage per building of the 11 graded towns here. 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 |
| Northlake | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lakeside | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arlington | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 750 |
| Rendon | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Grand Prairie | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Euless | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 92 |
| Haltom City | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Benbrook | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Everman | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| 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 Fort Worth 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.
- Fort Worth residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fort Worth
Is Fort Worth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Worth has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #280 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Worth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 482 claims in Fort Worth since 1978, $6.9M in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 62 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Dallas Flash Floods (19).
Is Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth?
Fort Worth is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fort Worth?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Worth, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 17,368 households applied for aid, $12.1M approved. By flood claims, Dallas Flash Floods: 19 paid, $732K.
Is Fort Worth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Fort Worth’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Worth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Worth’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.