For hail, Princeton’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #392 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hail (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Princeton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Princeton 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 Princeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Princeton, and Princeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #392 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Princeton’s residents live in 4 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, Princeton has more expected damage per building than 61% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Princeton: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Princeton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Princeton, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Princeton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Collin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Princeton
Disasters that paid out in Princeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Princeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding127 households applied for aid$143K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms380 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$46K to the City of Princeton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$49K to the City of Princeton for repairs
Collin County has had 14 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 Princeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Princeton archive →Princeton and its neighbors
Princeton is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowry Crossing | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Princeton | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Princeton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Princeton
Is Princeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #392 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hail (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Princeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Princeton since 2018, $13K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Princeton 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 Princeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Princeton’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 Princeton?
By FEMA money that reached Princeton, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 380 households applied for aid, $134K approved, and $46K to the City of Princeton for repairs.
Is Princeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Princeton’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Princeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Princeton’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.