Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Highland Park’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Park gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #333 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1981.
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 Highland Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Highland Park 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 Highland Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland Park, and Highland Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #333 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highland Park’s residents live in 3 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, Highland Park has more expected damage per building than 52% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Highland Park: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland Park flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highland Park, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $15K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $19K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $467
Highland Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Highland Park
Disasters that paid out in Highland Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Highland Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$94K to the Town of Highland Park for repairs
Dallas County has had 22 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 Highland Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland Park archive →Highland Park and its neighbors
Highland Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Park | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Highland Park | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Highland Park 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 Highland Park
Is Highland Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Park has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #333 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highland Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Highland Park since 1981, $375K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Highland Park 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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Highland Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland Park’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 Highland Park?
By FEMA money that reached Highland Park, Severe Winter Storms (2021): $94K to the Town of Highland Park for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Highland Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Highland Park’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland Park’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.