Photo: TourismPTX · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Palestine faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palestine gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #30 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Palestine 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
Hurricanes
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 Palestine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palestine, and Palestine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #30 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palestine’s residents live in 6 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, Palestine has less expected damage per building than 95% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Palestine: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palestine flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palestine, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Palestine isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anderson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palestine
Disasters that paid out in Palestine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palestine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding684 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$295K to the City of Palestine for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms612 households applied for aid$382K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding186 households applied for aid$796K aid approved$388K to the City of Palestine for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires2 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike$39K to the City of Palestine for repairs
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$37K to the City of Palestine for repairs
Anderson County has had 24 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 Palestine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palestine archive →Get ready for what Palestine 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Palestine
Is Palestine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palestine has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #30 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palestine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Palestine since 1996, $106K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Palestine 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 Anderson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Palestine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palestine’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 Palestine?
By FEMA money that reached Palestine, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 684 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved, and $295K to the City of Palestine for repairs.
Is Palestine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Palestine’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palestine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palestine’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.