Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Hearne’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hearne gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #196 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 2004.
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 Hearne’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hearne 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
Hurricanes
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 Hearne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hearne, and Hearne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #196 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hearne’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, Hearne has less expected damage per building than 70% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Hearne: $870K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hearne flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hearne, from FEMA’s records: 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hearne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Robertson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hearne
Disasters that paid out in Hearne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hearne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$68K to the City of Hearne for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms74 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$24K to the City of Hearne for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$77K to the City of Hearne for repairs
Robertson County has had 13 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 Hearne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hearne archive →Get ready for what Hearne 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Hearne
Is Hearne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hearne has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #196 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hearne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Hearne since 2004, $1.4M in all, or 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hearne 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 Robertson County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hearne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hearne’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 Hearne?
By FEMA money that reached Hearne, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 74 households applied for aid, $65K approved, and $24K to the City of Hearne for repairs.
Is Hearne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Hearne’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hearne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hearne’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.