Photo: Liveon001 ©Travis K. Witt · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Johnson City faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Johnson City 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Johnson City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnson City, and Johnson City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Johnson City’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Johnson City: $456K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnson City flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Johnson City, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $20K
Johnson City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blanco County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Johnson City
Disasters that paid out in Johnson City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Johnson City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms34 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding19 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Blanco 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.
Old photos of Johnson City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnson City archive →Get ready for what Johnson City 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Johnson City
Is Johnson City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson City has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Johnson City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Johnson City since 2015, $20K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Johnson City 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 Blanco County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Johnson City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Johnson City’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 Johnson City?
By FEMA money that reached Johnson City, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 34 households applied for aid, $12K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $20K.
Is Johnson City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Johnson City’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnson City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnson City’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.