Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Perryton than in 85% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perryton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #73 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%), then tornadoes (22%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Perryton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Perryton 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
Ice storms
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 Perryton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perryton, and Perryton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #73 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perryton’s residents live in 3 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, Perryton has less expected damage per building than 89% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Perryton: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perryton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Perryton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
The storms Perryton remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Ochiltree County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Perryton itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Ochiltree County has had 9 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.
Get ready for what Perryton 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Perryton
Is Perryton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perryton has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #73 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Perryton 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.
How much is flood insurance in Perryton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perryton’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Perryton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Perryton’s rate for it is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perryton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perryton’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.