Photo: Barbara Brannon · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Spearman than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spearman gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #180 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (31%), then hail (20%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1999.
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 Spearman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Spearman 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
Ice storms
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 Spearman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 31% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spearman, and Spearman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #180 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Spearman’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Spearman has less expected damage per building than 72% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Spearman: $834K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spearman flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spearman, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison2 claims · $110K
- The Spring severe storms1 claim · $125K
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $228K
Spearman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hansford County.The storms Spearman remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Hansford County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Spearman itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20012 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19991 flood claims paidThe year of Extreme Fire Hazards, declared for Hansford County
- 20161 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Hansford County has had 8 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.
Old photos of Spearman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spearman archive →Get ready for what Spearman 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Spearman
Is Spearman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spearman has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #180 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (31%) and hail (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spearman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Spearman since 1999, $464K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (2).
Is Spearman 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 Hansford County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Spearman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spearman’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 Spearman?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 2 paid, $110K.
Is Spearman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (31%), and Spearman’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spearman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spearman’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.