Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Keene faces less hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keene gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #128 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Keene 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
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 Keene’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Keene, and Keene’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #128 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Keene’s residents live in 5 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, Keene has less expected damage per building than 80% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Keene: $883K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Keene flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Keene, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Keene isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Keene
Disasters that paid out in Keene itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Keene), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms31 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Johnson County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Johnson County, 2000–2006.
Old photos of Keene after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Keene archive →Keene and its neighbors
Keene 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keene | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cleburne | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 92 |
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 Keene 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.
- 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 Keene
Is Keene at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keene has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #128 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Keene flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Keene since 2006, $35K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Keene 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 Johnson County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Keene?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Keene’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 Keene?
By FEMA money that reached Keene, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 31 households applied for aid, $17K approved.
Is Keene at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Keene’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Keene.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Keene’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.