Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Snyder’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snyder gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #126 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hail (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 Snyder’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Snyder 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
Wildfire
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 Snyder’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Snyder, and Snyder’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #126 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Snyder’s 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, Snyder has less expected damage per building than 80% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Snyder: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Snyder flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Snyder, 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.
Snyder isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scurry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Snyder
Disasters that paid out in Snyder itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Snyder), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms95 households applied for aid$81K aid approved
Scurry County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Scurry County, 2008–2008.
Old photos of Snyder after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Snyder archive →Get ready for what Snyder 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Snyder
Is Snyder at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snyder has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #126 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hail (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Snyder flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Snyder since 1980, $14K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Snyder 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 Scurry County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Snyder?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Snyder’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 Snyder?
By FEMA money that reached Snyder, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 95 households applied for aid, $81K approved.
Is Snyder at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Snyder’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Snyder.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Snyder’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.