Photo: en:User:Austinallison · CC BY 3.0Muleshoe’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muleshoe gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #336 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then wildfire (24%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2006.
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 Muleshoe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Muleshoe 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
Wildfire
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 Muleshoe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Muleshoe, and Muleshoe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 24%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #336 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Muleshoe’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, Muleshoe has more expected damage per building than 52% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Muleshoe: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Muleshoe flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Muleshoe, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Imelda1 claim · $22K
Muleshoe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bailey County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Muleshoe
Disasters that paid out in Muleshoe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Muleshoe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$28K to the City of Muleshoe for repairs
Bailey County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Muleshoe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Muleshoe archive →Get ready for what Muleshoe 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Muleshoe
Is Muleshoe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Muleshoe has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #336 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and wildfire (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Muleshoe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Muleshoe since 2006, $55K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Imelda (1).
Is Muleshoe 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 Bailey County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Muleshoe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Muleshoe’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 Muleshoe?
By FEMA money that reached Muleshoe, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $28K to the City of Muleshoe for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Imelda: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Muleshoe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Muleshoe’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Muleshoe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Muleshoe’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.