Photo: Av9 · Public domainIrving’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irving gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #330 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hail (26%). Flood insurance has paid 153 claims here since 1978.
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 Irving’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Irving 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 Irving’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Irving, and Irving’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #330 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Irving’s residents live in 72 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, Irving has more expected damage per building than 51% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Irving has lower expected damage per building than 59% (#165 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $91.1M, is the 130th largest of those 400.
Does Irving flood? Yes: 153 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Irving, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms3 claims · $43K
- The Dallas Flash Floods1 claim · $12K
- The Fall 2018 Texas Flooding1 claim · $30K
Irving 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Irving
Disasters that paid out in Irving itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Irving), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding857 households applied for aid$517K aid approved$1.2M to the City of Irving for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,968 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$174K to the City of Irving for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding47 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$2.3M to the City of Irving for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$378K to the City of Irving 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 Irving after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Irving archive →Irving and its neighbors
Irving has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irving | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Carrollton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Grand Prairie | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Coppell | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Irving 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 Irving
Is Irving at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irving has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #330 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Irving flood?
Flood insurance has paid 153 claims in Irving since 1978, $2.2M in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (3).
Is Irving 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 Irving?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Irving’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 Irving?
By FEMA money that reached Irving, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 47 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $2.3M to the City of Irving for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 3 paid, $43K.
Is Irving at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Irving’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Irving.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Irving’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.