Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Kaufman than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaufman gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #134 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 stands out about Kaufman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kaufman 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
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 Kaufman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kaufman, and Kaufman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #134 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kaufman’s residents live in 6 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, Kaufman has less expected damage per building than 79% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Kaufman: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kaufman flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kaufman, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $28K
Kaufman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kaufman County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kaufman
Disasters that paid out in Kaufman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kaufman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding575 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$242K to the City of Kaufman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms152 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$33K to the City of Kaufman for repairs
Kaufman County has had 14 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 Kaufman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kaufman archive →Get ready for what Kaufman 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.
- 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 Kaufman
Is Kaufman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaufman has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #134 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kaufman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Kaufman since 1990, $67K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (1).
Is Kaufman 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 Kaufman County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kaufman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kaufman’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 Kaufman?
By FEMA money that reached Kaufman, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 575 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $242K to the City of Kaufman for repairs. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Kaufman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Kaufman’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kaufman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kaufman’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.