Photo: Flimbone08 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Murphy than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphy gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #450 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (32%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Murphy’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Murphy 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 Murphy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murphy, and Murphy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 32%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #450 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Murphy’s residents live in 7 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, Murphy has more expected damage per building than 70% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.6M a year in losses across Murphy: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Murphy flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Murphy, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $64K
Murphy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Collin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Murphy
Disasters that paid out in Murphy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Murphy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms81 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Collin 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 Murphy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murphy archive →Murphy and its neighbors
Murphy is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wylie | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Richardson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Plano | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Murphy | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Sachse | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Parker | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Murphy 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 Murphy
Is Murphy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphy has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #450 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Murphy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Murphy since 1979, $278K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Murphy 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 Collin County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Murphy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Murphy’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 Murphy?
By FEMA money that reached Murphy, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 26 households applied for aid, $32K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $64K.
Is Murphy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Murphy’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murphy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murphy’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.