Temple Commercial Historic District · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Temple than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temple gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #103 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1979.
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 Temple’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Temple 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
Hail
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 Temple’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Temple, and Temple’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #103 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Temple’s residents live in 26 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, Temple has less expected damage per building than 84% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.2M a year in losses across Temple: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Temple flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Temple, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms4 claims · $117K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $2K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $23K
Temple isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bell County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Temple
Disasters that paid out in Temple itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Temple), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding6,182 households applied for aid$8.2M aid approved$4.9M to the City of Temple for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,256 households applied for aid$273K aid approved$101K to the City of Temple for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita$41K to the City of Temple for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$8K to the City of Temple for repairs
Bell County has had 14 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bell County, 1999–2008.
Old photos of Temple after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Temple archive →Temple and its neighbors
Temple has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Belton | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Morgan's Point Resort | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pendleton | — | 649 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Temple 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.
- 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.
- 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 Temple
Is Temple at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temple has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #103 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Temple flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Temple since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (4).
Is Temple 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 Bell County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Temple?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Temple’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 Temple?
By FEMA money that reached Temple, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 6,182 households applied for aid, $8.2M approved, and $4.9M to the City of Temple for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 4 paid, $117K.
Is Temple at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Temple’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Temple.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Temple’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.