Ammie Wilson House · Photo: Susan Bartley · CC BY-SA 3.0Plano’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plano gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #435 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hail (34%). Flood insurance has paid 71 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 Plano’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Plano 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 Plano’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plano, and Plano’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #435 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plano’s residents live in 75 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, Plano has more expected damage per building than 68% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Plano has higher expected damage per building than 56% (#226 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $200M, is the 43th largest of those 400.
Does Plano flood? Sometimes: 71 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plano, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms5 claims · $254K
- The Early summer severe storms2 claims · $19K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $2K
Plano is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Collin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plano
Disasters that paid out in Plano itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Plano), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding966 households applied for aid$623K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,996 households applied for aid$891K aid approved$236K to the City of Plano for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$5.1M to the City of Plano for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 18 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 its 2 counties, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Plano after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plano archive →Plano and its neighbors
Plano is 6th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Colony | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Carrollton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Frisco | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Richardson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Plano | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Allen | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Murphy | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Parker | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Hebron | — | 253 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Plano 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.
- Plano residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Plano
Is Plano at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plano has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #435 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hail (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plano flood?
Flood insurance has paid 71 claims in Plano since 1979, $735K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (5).
Is Plano 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 Plano?
Plano is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Plano?
By FEMA money that reached Plano, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $5.1M to the City of Plano for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 5 paid, $254K.
Is Plano at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Plano’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plano.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plano’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.