FEMA puts Hooks’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hooks gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (21%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1990.
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 Hooks 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
Ice storms
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 Hooks’ grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hooks, and Hooks’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hooks’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $873K a year in losses across Hooks: $559K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hooks flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hooks, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hooks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bowie County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hooks
Disasters that paid out in Hooks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hooks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl59 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms55 households applied for aid$40K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding17 households applied for aid$111K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$26K to the City of Hooks for repairs
Bowie 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bowie County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Hooks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hooks archive →Get ready for what Hooks 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Hooks
Is Hooks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hooks has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hooks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Hooks since 1990, $125K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hooks 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 Bowie County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hooks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hooks’ 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 Hooks?
By FEMA money that reached Hooks, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 17 households applied for aid, $111K approved.
Is Hooks at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Hooks’ rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hooks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hooks’ 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.