Photo: Flickr user Barbara Brannon · CC BY 2.0For hail, Levelland’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Levelland gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #298 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hail (37%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1986.
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 Levelland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Levelland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Levelland’s grade
Hail is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Levelland, and Levelland’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #298 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Levelland’s residents live in 4 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, Levelland has less expected damage per building than 54% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Levelland: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Levelland flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Levelland, 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.
Levelland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hockley County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Levelland
Disasters that paid out in Levelland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Levelland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,523 households applied for aid$6.0M aid approved$199K to the City of Levelland for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$294K to the City of Levelland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Wildfires$10K to the City of Levelland for repairs
Hockley County has had 11 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 Levelland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Levelland archive →Get ready for what Levelland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Levelland
Is Levelland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Levelland has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #298 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hail (37%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Levelland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Levelland since 1986, $45K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Levelland 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 Hockley County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Levelland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Levelland’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 Levelland?
By FEMA money that reached Levelland, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 1,523 households applied for aid, $6.0M approved, and $199K to the City of Levelland for repairs.
Is Levelland at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Levelland’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Levelland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Levelland’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.