Grand Prairie’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Prairie gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #399 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hail (25%). Flood insurance has paid 287 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 Grand Prairie’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grand Prairie, and Grand Prairie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 25%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #399 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grand Prairie’s residents live in 54 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, Grand Prairie has more expected damage per building than 62% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Grand Prairie has higher expected damage per building than 50% (#201 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $67.8M, is the 176th largest of those 400.
Does Grand Prairie flood? Yes: 287 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grand Prairie, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms4 claims · $69K
- The Dallas Flash Floods4 claims · $633K
- Tropical Storm Paul1 claim · $12K
Grand Prairie is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grand Prairie
Disasters that paid out in Grand Prairie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grand Prairie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding419 households applied for aid$328K aid approved$16K to the City of Grand Prairie for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3,076 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$88K to the City of Grand Prairie for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding120 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Grand Prairie for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$5.0M to the City of Grand Prairie for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$14K to the City of Grand Prairie for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Its 3 counties have had 25 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 3 counties, 1999–2011.
Old photos of Grand Prairie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grand Prairie archive →Grand Prairie and its neighbors
Grand Prairie is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fort Worth | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 482 |
| Cedar Hill | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Irving | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Mansfield | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Arlington | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 750 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Grand Prairie | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
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 Grand Prairie 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.
- Grand Prairie residents get 30% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Grand Prairie
Is Grand Prairie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Prairie has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #399 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hail (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grand Prairie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 287 claims in Grand Prairie since 1979, $7.5M in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (4).
Is Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie?
Grand Prairie is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 4), which takes 30% 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 Grand Prairie?
By FEMA money that reached Grand Prairie, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $5.0M to the City of Grand Prairie for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 4 paid, $69K.
Is Grand Prairie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Grand Prairie’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grand Prairie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grand Prairie’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.