Photo: Chetblong · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Nocona’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nocona gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #142 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1985.
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 Nocona 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
Strong wind
Wildfire
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 Nocona’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nocona, and Nocona’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #142 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nocona’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, Nocona has less expected damage per building than 78% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Nocona: $641K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nocona flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nocona, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Nocona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montague County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nocona
Disasters that paid out in Nocona itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nocona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms41 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding48 households applied for aid$245K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$15K to the City of Nocona for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat16 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$25K to the City of Nocona for repairs
Montague County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Montague County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Nocona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nocona archive →Get ready for what Nocona 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Nocona
Is Nocona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nocona has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #142 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nocona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Nocona since 1985, $50K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Nocona 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 Montague County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nocona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nocona’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 Nocona?
By FEMA money that reached Nocona, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 48 households applied for aid, $245K approved.
Is Nocona at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Nocona’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nocona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nocona’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.