Stephen Decatur Lawrence Farmstead · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Mesquite’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mesquite gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #351 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 98 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 Mesquite’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mesquite 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 Mesquite’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mesquite, and Mesquite’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #351 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mesquite’s residents live in 43 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, Mesquite has more expected damage per building than 55% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Mesquite has lower expected damage per building than 55% (#181 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $49.6M, is the 244th largest of those 400.
Does Mesquite flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mesquite, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Dallas Flash Floods5 claims · $175K
- The Early summer storms3 claims · $76K
- The March storm2 claims · $13K
Mesquite isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mesquite
Disasters that paid out in Mesquite itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mesquite), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,886 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$815K to the City of Mesquite for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,638 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$79K to the City of Mesquite for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding21 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$72K to the City of Mesquite for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$257K to the City of Mesquite for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 23 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 Mesquite after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mesquite archive →Mesquite and its neighbors
Mesquite is 4th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heartland | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Balch Springs | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Seagoville | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mesquite | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Sunnyvale | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Garland | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 384 |
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 Mesquite 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 Mesquite
Is Mesquite at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mesquite has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #351 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mesquite flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in Mesquite since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Dallas Flash Floods (5).
Is Mesquite 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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mesquite?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mesquite’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 Mesquite?
By FEMA money that reached Mesquite, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 2,886 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $815K to the City of Mesquite for repairs. By flood claims, Dallas Flash Floods: 5 paid, $175K.
Is Mesquite at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Mesquite’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mesquite.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mesquite’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.