Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Mart than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mart gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Mart 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
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 Mart’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mart, and Mart’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mart’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $629K a year in losses across Mart: $288K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mart flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mart, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mart isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLennan County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mart
Disasters that paid out in Mart itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mart), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms84 households applied for aid$70K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$26K to the City of Mart for repairs
McLennan County has had 17 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 Mart after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mart archive →Get ready for what Mart 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.
- 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 Mart
Is Mart at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mart has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mart flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Mart since 1986, $2K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mart 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 McLennan County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mart?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mart’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 Mart?
By FEMA money that reached Mart, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 84 households applied for aid, $70K approved.
Is Mart at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Mart’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mart.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mart’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.