FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hideaway than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hideaway gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #59 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2015.
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 Hideaway 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
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 Hideaway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hideaway, and Hideaway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
A #59 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hideaway’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, Hideaway has less expected damage per building than 91% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $595K a year in losses across Hideaway: $337K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hideaway flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hideaway, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $40K
Hideaway isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Smith County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hideaway
Disasters that paid out in Hideaway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hideaway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Smith County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Smith County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Hideaway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hideaway archive →Hideaway and its neighbors
Hideaway is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindale | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hideaway | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Hideaway 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.
- 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 Hideaway
Is Hideaway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hideaway has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #59 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). 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 Hideaway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Hideaway since 2015, $133K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (1).
Is Hideaway 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 Smith County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hideaway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hideaway’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 Hideaway?
By FEMA money that reached Hideaway, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 19 households applied for aid, $10K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 1 paid, $40K.
Is Hideaway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Hideaway’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hideaway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hideaway’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.