Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, Ponder’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ponder gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #272 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hail (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 Ponder 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
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 Ponder’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ponder, and Ponder’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #272 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ponder’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, Ponder has less expected damage per building than 58% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $982K a year in losses across Ponder: $571K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ponder flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ponder. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ponder isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Denton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ponder
Disasters that paid out in Ponder itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ponder), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms60 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Denton County has had 17 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 Denton County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Ponder after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ponder archive →Get ready for what Ponder 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.
- 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 Ponder
Is Ponder at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ponder has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #272 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hail (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ponder 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 Denton County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ponder?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ponder’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 Ponder?
By FEMA money that reached Ponder, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 60 households applied for aid, $31K approved.
Is Ponder at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Ponder’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ponder.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ponder’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.