FEMA puts McLendon-Chisholm’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLendon-Chisholm gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #418 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hail (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 McLendon-Chisholm 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
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 McLendon-Chisholm’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in McLendon-Chisholm, and McLendon-Chisholm’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #418 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McLendon-Chisholm’s residents live in 3 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, McLendon-Chisholm has more expected damage per building than 65% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across McLendon-Chisholm: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McLendon-Chisholm flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McLendon-Chisholm, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
McLendon-Chisholm isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockwall County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to McLendon-Chisholm
Disasters that paid out in McLendon-Chisholm itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McLendon-Chisholm), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$49K to the City of McLendon-Chisholm for repairs
Rockwall 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 McLendon-Chisholm after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McLendon-Chisholm archive →Get ready for what McLendon-Chisholm 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.
- 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 McLendon-Chisholm
Is McLendon-Chisholm at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLendon-Chisholm has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #418 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hail (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McLendon-Chisholm flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in McLendon-Chisholm since 2015, $98K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is McLendon-Chisholm 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 Rockwall 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 McLendon-Chisholm?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McLendon-Chisholm’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 McLendon-Chisholm?
By FEMA money that reached McLendon-Chisholm, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $49K to the City of McLendon-Chisholm for repairs.
Is McLendon-Chisholm at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and McLendon-Chisholm’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McLendon-Chisholm.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McLendon-Chisholm’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.