FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Red Oak than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Oak gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #126 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hail (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1998.
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 Red Oak’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Red Oak 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 Red Oak’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Oak, and Red Oak’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #126 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Oak’s residents live in 8 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, Red Oak has less expected damage per building than 80% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Red Oak: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Oak flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Oak, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Dallas Flash Floods1 claim · $25K
Red Oak isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ellis County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Oak
Disasters that paid out in Red Oak itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Oak), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding164 households applied for aid$170K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms453 households applied for aid$192K aid approved$178K to the City of Red Oak for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$17K to the City of Red Oak for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding13 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the City of Red Oak for repairs
Ellis County has had 15 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ellis County, 1999–2011.
Old photos of Red Oak after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Oak archive →Red Oak and its neighbors
Red Oak is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferris | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Red Oak | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Waxahachie | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Glenn Heights | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Oak Leaf | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Lancaster | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 117 |
| Pecan Hill | — | 723 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 Red Oak 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 Red Oak
Is Red Oak at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Oak has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #126 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Oak flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Red Oak since 1998, $306K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Dallas Flash Floods (1).
Is Red Oak 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 Ellis County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Oak?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Oak’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 Red Oak?
By FEMA money that reached Red Oak, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 453 households applied for aid, $192K approved, and $178K to the City of Red Oak for repairs. By flood claims, Dallas Flash Floods: 1 paid, $25K.
Is Red Oak at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Red Oak’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Oak.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Oak’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.