Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lufkin faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lufkin gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #171 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 236 claims here since 1979.
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 Lufkin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lufkin 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
Hurricanes
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 Lufkin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lufkin, and Lufkin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #171 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lufkin’s residents live in 13 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, Lufkin has less expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.1M a year in losses across Lufkin: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lufkin flood? Yes: 236 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lufkin, from FEMA’s records: 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms10 claims · $130K
Lufkin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Angelina County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lufkin
Disasters that paid out in Lufkin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lufkin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,637 households applied for aid$531K aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding183 households applied for aid$312K aid approved23 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike2,998 households applied for aid$896K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Lufkin for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita5,584 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Lufkin for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$154K to the City of Lufkin for repairs
Angelina County has had 16 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 Lufkin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lufkin archive →Lufkin and its neighbors
Lufkin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufkin | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 236 |
| Hudson | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Lufkin 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Lufkin
Is Lufkin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lufkin has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #171 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lufkin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 236 claims in Lufkin since 1979, $4.7M in all, or 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 38 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (10).
Is Lufkin 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 Angelina County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lufkin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lufkin’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 Lufkin?
By FEMA money that reached Lufkin, Hurricane Rita (2005): 5,584 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Lufkin for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 10 paid, $130K.
Is Lufkin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Lufkin’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lufkin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lufkin’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.