Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Mabank than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mabank gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #109 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1990.
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 Mabank 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
Hail
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 Mabank’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mabank, and Mabank’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #109 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mabank’s residents live in 2 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, Mabank has less expected damage per building than 83% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Mabank: $827K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mabank flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mabank, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mabank isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kaufman County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mabank
Disasters that paid out in Mabank itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mabank), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding373 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms332 households applied for aid$274K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding38 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$35K to the Town of Mabank for repairs
Kaufman County has had 14 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 Mabank after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mabank archive →Mabank and its neighbors
Mabank 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mabank | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Gun Barrel City | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Mabank 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.
- 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.
- 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 Mabank
Is Mabank at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mabank has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #109 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mabank flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Mabank since 1990, $112K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Mabank 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 Kaufman County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mabank?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mabank’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 Mabank?
By FEMA money that reached Mabank, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 373 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved.
Is Mabank at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Mabank’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mabank.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mabank’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.