Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Hemphill’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hemphill gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
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 Hemphill 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Hemphill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hemphill, and Hemphill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hemphill’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $620K a year in losses across Hemphill: $477K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hemphill flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hemphill, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hemphill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sabine County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hemphill
Disasters that paid out in Hemphill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hemphill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding236 households applied for aid$602K aid approved$50K to the City of Hemphill for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms91 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$33K to the City of Hemphill for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$26K to the City of Hemphill for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey135 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$273K to the City of Hemphill for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike196 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$57K to the City of Hemphill for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,172 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$365K to the City of Hemphill for repairs
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita$4K to the City of Hemphill for repairs
Sabine County has had 19 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 Hemphill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hemphill archive →Get ready for what Hemphill 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hemphill
Is Hemphill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hemphill has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (14%). 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 Hemphill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hemphill since 2012, $19K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hemphill 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 Sabine County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hemphill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hemphill’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 Hemphill?
By FEMA money that reached Hemphill, Hurricane Rita (2005): 2,172 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $365K to the City of Hemphill for repairs.
Is Hemphill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Hemphill’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hemphill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hemphill’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.