Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Jarrell’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jarrell gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #72 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hail (19%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Jarrell 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
Wildfire
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 Jarrell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jarrell, and Jarrell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A #72 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jarrell’s residents live in 2 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, Jarrell has less expected damage per building than 89% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $495K a year in losses across Jarrell: $342K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jarrell flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Jarrell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Jarrell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jarrell
Disasters that paid out in Jarrell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jarrell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms93 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$568 aid approved
Williamson County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Williamson County, 2008–2011.
Old photos of Jarrell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jarrell archive →Jarrell and its neighbors
Jarrell has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarrell | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Sonterra | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Jarrell 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Jarrell
Is Jarrell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jarrell has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #72 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Jarrell 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 Williamson County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jarrell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jarrell’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 Jarrell?
By FEMA money that reached Jarrell, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 22 households applied for aid, $14K approved.
Is Jarrell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Jarrell’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jarrell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jarrell’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.