Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Hallsville’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hallsville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #218 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (19%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hallsville 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
Ice storms
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 Hallsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hallsville, and Hallsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #218 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hallsville’s residents live in 2 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, Hallsville has less expected damage per building than 66% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Hallsville: $762K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hallsville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hallsville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hallsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hallsville
Disasters that paid out in Hallsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hallsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms48 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding14 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike19 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
Harrison 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.
Old photos of Hallsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hallsville archive →Get ready for what Hallsville 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Hallsville
Is Hallsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hallsville has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #218 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hallsville 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 Harrison County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hallsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hallsville’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 Hallsville?
By FEMA money that reached Hallsville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 14 households applied for aid, $52K approved.
Is Hallsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Hallsville’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hallsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hallsville’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.