Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, Richardson’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richardson gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #422 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (28%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1985.
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 Richardson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Richardson 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 Richardson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richardson, and Richardson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 28%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #422 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richardson’s residents live in 37 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, Richardson has more expected damage per building than 66% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Richardson has higher expected damage per building than 54% (#217 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $61.4M, is the 198th largest of those 400.
Does Richardson flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richardson, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $18K
- The Early summer severe storms1 claim · $6K
- The Fall severe storms1 claim · $3K
Richardson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richardson
Disasters that paid out in Richardson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richardson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding905 households applied for aid$526K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms976 households applied for aid$354K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding8 households applied for aid$728 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 23 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 Richardson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richardson archive →Richardson and its neighbors
Richardson is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Garland | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 384 |
| Richardson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Plano | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Murphy | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Richardson 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.
- Richardson 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 Richardson
Is Richardson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richardson has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #422 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richardson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Richardson since 1985, $127K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (2).
Is Richardson 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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richardson?
Richardson 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 Richardson?
By FEMA money that reached Richardson, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 905 households applied for aid, $526K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 2 paid, $18K.
Is Richardson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Richardson’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richardson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richardson’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.