Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0For wildfire, Haskell’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haskell gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #376 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then wildfire (16%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1980.
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 Haskell 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
Wildfire
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 Haskell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haskell, and Haskell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #376 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Haskell’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Haskell has more expected damage per building than 59% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Haskell: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haskell flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Haskell, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Haskell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Haskell County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Haskell
Disasters that paid out in Haskell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Haskell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the City of Haskell for repairs
Haskell County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Haskell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haskell archive →Get ready for what Haskell 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Haskell
Is Haskell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haskell has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #376 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and wildfire (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Haskell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Haskell since 1980, $55K in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Haskell 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 Haskell County, 1.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Haskell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haskell’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 Haskell?
By FEMA money that reached Haskell, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): $15K to the City of Haskell for repairs.
Is Haskell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Haskell’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haskell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haskell’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.