Red Schoolhouse, Old · Photo: Steven L. Driskell (SDriskell) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Trinity as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trinity gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1991.
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 Trinity 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
Hurricanes
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 Trinity’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Trinity, and Trinity’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 40% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Trinity’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Trinity: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Trinity flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trinity, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $58K
Trinity isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Trinity County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Trinity
Disasters that paid out in Trinity itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Trinity), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,191 households applied for aid$993K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding911 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$90K to the City of Trinity for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms317 households applied for aid$298K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey19 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Trinity for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$15K to the City of Trinity for repairs
Show all 11
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding106 households applied for aid$323K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,166 households applied for aid$341K aid approved$114K to the City of Trinity for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$216K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,348 households applied for aid$868K aid approved$31K to the City of Trinity for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding7 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
Trinity County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Trinity after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trinity archive →Get ready for what Trinity 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Trinity
Is Trinity at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trinity has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Trinity flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Trinity since 1991, $162K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (1).
Is Trinity 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 Trinity County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Trinity?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trinity’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 Trinity?
By FEMA money that reached Trinity, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 911 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved, and $90K to the City of Trinity for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 1 paid, $58K.
Is Trinity at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Trinity’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trinity.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trinity’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.