Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Shallowater than in 65% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shallowater gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #437 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%), then hail (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Shallowater’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shallowater 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
Strong wind
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 Shallowater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 36% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shallowater, and Shallowater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 32%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #437 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shallowater’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, Shallowater has more expected damage per building than 68% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Shallowater: $729K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shallowater flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shallowater, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $10K
Shallowater isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lubbock County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shallowater
Disasters that paid out in Shallowater itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shallowater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms19 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Lubbock County has had 15 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 Shallowater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shallowater archive →Get ready for what Shallowater 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.
- 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.
- 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 Shallowater
Is Shallowater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shallowater has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #437 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%) and hail (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shallowater flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Shallowater since 2015, $10K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Shallowater 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 Lubbock County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shallowater?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shallowater’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 Shallowater?
By FEMA money that reached Shallowater, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 19 households applied for aid, $5K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Shallowater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (36%), and Shallowater’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shallowater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shallowater’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.