Killeen High School · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Killeen than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Killeen gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #174 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 90 claims here since 1980.
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 Killeen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Killeen 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 Killeen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Killeen, and Killeen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #174 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Killeen’s residents live in 38 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, Killeen has less expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Killeen has lower expected damage per building than 81% (#76 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $39.0M, is the 300th largest of those 400.
Does Killeen flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Killeen, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms7 claims · $198K
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $29K
- The Fall severe storms1 claim · $15K
Killeen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Killeen
Disasters that paid out in Killeen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Killeen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,345 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3,827 households applied for aid$633K aid approved$306K to the City of Killeen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding120 households applied for aid$120K aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$183K to the City of Killeen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Bell County has had 14 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bell County, 1999–2008.
Old photos of Killeen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Killeen archive →Killeen and its neighbors
Killeen is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harker Heights | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Killeen | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Fort Cavazos | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Killeen 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 Killeen
Is Killeen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Killeen has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #174 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hail (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Killeen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Killeen since 1980, $2.0M in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (7).
Is Killeen 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 Bell County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Killeen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Killeen’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 Killeen?
By FEMA money that reached Killeen, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 1,345 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 7 paid, $198K.
Is Killeen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Killeen’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Killeen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Killeen’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.