Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Seymour than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seymour gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #477 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then strong wind (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1982.
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 Seymour 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
Strong wind
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 Seymour’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seymour, and Seymour’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #477 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seymour’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, Seymour has more expected damage per building than 74% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Seymour: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seymour flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seymour, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Seymour isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Baylor County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seymour
Disasters that paid out in Seymour itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Seymour), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$8K to the City of Seymour for repairs
- 2011Wildfires$3K to the City of Seymour for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the City of Seymour for repairs
Baylor 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.
Old photos of Seymour after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seymour archive →Get ready for what Seymour 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Seymour
Is Seymour at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seymour has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #477 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and strong wind (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seymour flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Seymour since 1982, $1K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Seymour 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 Baylor County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Seymour?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seymour’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 Seymour?
By FEMA money that reached Seymour, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): $10K to the City of Seymour for repairs.
Is Seymour at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Seymour’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seymour.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seymour’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.