Warren and Myrta Bacon House · Photo: Robert Lawton · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Lubbock’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lubbock gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #553 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hail (26%). Flood insurance has paid 195 claims here since 1982.
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 Lubbock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lubbock 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
Strong wind
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 Lubbock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lubbock, and Lubbock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #553 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lubbock’s residents live in 93 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, Lubbock has more expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Lubbock has higher expected damage per building than 73% (#291 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $124M, is the 82th largest of those 400.
Does Lubbock flood? Yes: 195 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lubbock, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms11 claims · $340K
- Hurricane Ike9 claims · $44K
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $2K
Lubbock is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lubbock County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lubbock
Disasters that paid out in Lubbock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lubbock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,183 households applied for aid$714K aid approved$308K to the City of Lubbock for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex176 households applied for aid$149K aid approved$294K to the City of Lubbock for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$2.2M to the City of Lubbock for repairs
Lubbock County has had 15 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 Lubbock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lubbock archive →Get ready for what Lubbock 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Lubbock residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lubbock
Is Lubbock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lubbock has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #553 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lubbock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 195 claims in Lubbock since 1982, $2.4M in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (11).
Is Lubbock 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 Lubbock County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lubbock?
Lubbock is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lubbock?
By FEMA money that reached Lubbock, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $2.2M to the City of Lubbock for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 11 paid, $340K.
Is Lubbock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Lubbock’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lubbock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lubbock’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.