Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Round Rock than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Round Rock gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #179 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 177 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 Round Rock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Round Rock 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 Round Rock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Round Rock, and Round Rock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #179 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Round Rock’s residents live in 45 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, Round Rock has less expected damage per building than 72% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Round Rock has lower expected damage per building than 80% (#79 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $26.2M, is the 367th largest of those 400.
Does Round Rock flood? Yes: 177 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Round Rock, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms13 claims · $513K
Round Rock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Round Rock
Disasters that paid out in Round Rock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Round Rock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding103 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$48K to the City of Round Rock for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,160 households applied for aid$374K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding51 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$34K to the City of Round Rock for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$100K to the City of Round Rock for repairs
Williamson County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Williamson County, 2008–2011.
Old photos of Round Rock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Round Rock archive →Round Rock and its neighbors
Round Rock has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Rock | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 177 |
| Brushy Creek | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Georgetown | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Pflugerville | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Austin | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2,221 |
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 Round Rock 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 Round Rock
Is Round Rock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Round Rock has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #179 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Round Rock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 177 claims in Round Rock since 1981, $5.5M in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 29 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (13).
Is Round Rock 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 Williamson County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Round Rock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Round Rock’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 Round Rock?
By FEMA money that reached Round Rock, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 1,160 households applied for aid, $374K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 13 paid, $513K.
Is Round Rock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Round Rock’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Round Rock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Round Rock’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.