On FEMA’s figures, Heath faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heath gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #358 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1988.
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 Heath 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 Heath’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Heath, and Heath’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #358 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Heath’s residents live in 6 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, Heath has more expected damage per building than 56% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Heath: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Heath flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Heath, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Heath isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockwall County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Heath
Disasters that paid out in Heath itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Heath), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$75K to the City of Heath for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms105 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
Rockwall County has had 11 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 Heath after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Heath archive →Heath and its neighbors
Heath is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Ranch | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rockwall | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Heath | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
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 Heath 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Heath
Is Heath at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heath has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #358 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Heath flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Heath since 1988, $43K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Heath 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 Rockwall County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Heath?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Heath’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 Heath?
By FEMA money that reached Heath, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 13 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $75K to the City of Heath for repairs.
Is Heath at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Heath’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Heath.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Heath’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.