Photo: Smarty9108 · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, North Richland Hills’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Richland Hills gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #372 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hail (26%). Flood insurance has paid 88 claims here since 1981.
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 North Richland Hills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Richland Hills 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 North Richland Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Richland Hills, and North Richland Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #372 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Richland Hills’ residents live in 20 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, North Richland Hills has more expected damage per building than 58% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.1M a year in losses across North Richland Hills: $13.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Richland Hills flood? Sometimes: 88 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Richland Hills, 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.
- The Thunderstorms12 claims · $162K
- The Dallas Flash Floods2 claims · $146K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $2K
North Richland Hills is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Richland Hills
Disasters that paid out in North Richland Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Richland Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms681 households applied for aid$267K aid approved$48K to the City of North Richland Hills for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$215K to the City of North Richland Hills for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
Tarrant County has had 21 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tarrant County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of North Richland Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Richland Hills archive →North Richland Hills and its neighbors
North Richland Hills is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Hills | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Hurst | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Keller | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Colleyville | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| North Richland Hills | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Watauga | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Haltom City | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
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 North Richland Hills 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.
- North Richland Hills residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Richland Hills
Is North Richland Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Richland Hills has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #372 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Richland Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 88 claims in North Richland Hills since 1981, $888K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (12).
Is North Richland Hills 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 Tarrant County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Richland Hills?
North Richland Hills is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in North Richland Hills?
By FEMA money that reached North Richland Hills, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 681 households applied for aid, $267K approved, and $48K to the City of North Richland Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 12 paid, $162K.
Is North Richland Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and North Richland Hills’ rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Richland Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Richland Hills’ 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.