Anderson House and Store · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Salado faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salado gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #386 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 2007.
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 Salado 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Salado’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salado, and Salado’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #386 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salado’s residents live in 2 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, Salado has more expected damage per building than 60% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Salado: $865K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salado flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salado, from FEMA’s records: 28.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $4K
Salado isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bell County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salado
Disasters that paid out in Salado itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Salado), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms115 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding53 households applied for aid$98K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Bell County has had 14 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bell County, 1999–2008.
Old photos of Salado after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salado archive →Get ready for what Salado 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Salado
Is Salado at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salado has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #386 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salado flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Salado since 2007, $3.3M in all, or 28.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Salado 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 Bell County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salado?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salado’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 Salado?
By FEMA money that reached Salado, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 53 households applied for aid, $98K approved. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Salado at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Salado’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salado.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salado’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.