Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Troup than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Troup gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Troup 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
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 Troup’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Troup, and Troup’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Troup’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $358K a year in losses across Troup: $183K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Troup flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Troup. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Troup isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Smith County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Troup
Disasters that paid out in Troup itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Troup), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding114 households applied for aid$336K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms87 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$23K to the City of Troup for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding14 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike48 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
Smith County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Smith County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Troup after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Troup archive →Get ready for what Troup 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.
- 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 Troup
Is Troup at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Troup has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Troup 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 Smith County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Troup?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Troup’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 Troup?
By FEMA money that reached Troup, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 114 households applied for aid, $336K approved.
Is Troup at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Troup’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Troup.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Troup’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.