First National Bank Building · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Stephenville than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stephenville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #92 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1990.
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 Stephenville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stephenville 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
Wildfire
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 Stephenville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stephenville, and Stephenville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #92 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stephenville’s residents live in 7 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, Stephenville has less expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Stephenville: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stephenville flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stephenville, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $54K
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $20K
Stephenville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Erath County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stephenville
Disasters that paid out in Stephenville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stephenville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms106 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$58K to the City of Stephenville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$228K to the City of Stephenville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding48 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$49K to the City of Stephenville for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding130 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$233K to the City of Stephenville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$8K to the City of Stephenville for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat19 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Erath County has had 13 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 Stephenville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stephenville archive →Get ready for what Stephenville 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.
- 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.
- 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 Stephenville
Is Stephenville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stephenville has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #92 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stephenville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Stephenville since 1990, $140K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (2).
Is Stephenville 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 Erath County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stephenville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stephenville’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 Stephenville?
By FEMA money that reached Stephenville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 130 households applied for aid, $48K approved, and $233K to the City of Stephenville for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 2 paid, $54K.
Is Stephenville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Stephenville’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stephenville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stephenville’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.