Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Taylor’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taylor gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #133 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Taylor’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Taylor 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
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 Taylor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Taylor, and Taylor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #133 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Taylor’s residents live in 8 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, Taylor has less expected damage per building than 79% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Taylor: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Taylor flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Taylor, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms3 claims · $169K
Taylor isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Taylor
Disasters that paid out in Taylor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Taylor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$4.7M to the City of Taylor for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms245 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding231 households applied for aid$770K aid approved$240K to the City of Taylor for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$14K to the City of Taylor for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$37K to the City of Taylor for repairs
Williamson County has had 16 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Williamson County, 2008–2011.
Old photos of Taylor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Taylor archive →Get ready for what Taylor 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.
- 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 Taylor
Is Taylor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taylor has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #133 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Taylor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Taylor since 1980, $338K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (3).
Is Taylor 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 Williamson County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Taylor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Taylor’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 Taylor?
By FEMA money that reached Taylor, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $4.7M to the City of Taylor for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 3 paid, $169K.
Is Taylor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Taylor’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Taylor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Taylor’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.