For hail, Richland Hills’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland Hills gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #323 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hail (27%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1981.
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 Richland Hills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Richland Hills 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 Richland Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richland Hills, and Richland Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 27%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #323 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richland Hills’ 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, Richland Hills has more expected damage per building than 50% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Richland Hills: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richland Hills flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richland Hills, from FEMA’s records: 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms24 claims · $442K
Richland Hills is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richland Hills
Disasters that paid out in Richland Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richland Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms50 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$8K to the City of Richland Hills for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
Tarrant County has had 21 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 Tarrant County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Richland Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richland Hills archive →Richland Hills and its neighbors
Richland Hills is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 482 |
| Richland Hills | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Hurst | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| North Richland Hills | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Haltom City | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
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 Richland Hills 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.
- Richland Hills 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 Richland Hills
Is Richland Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland Hills has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #323 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hail (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richland Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Richland Hills since 1981, $1.3M in all, or 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (24).
Is Richland Hills 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 Tarrant County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Richland Hills?
Richland Hills 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 Richland Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Richland Hills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 21 households applied for aid, $53K approved, and $8K to the City of Richland Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 24 paid, $442K.
Is Richland Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Richland Hills’ rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richland Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richland Hills’ 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.